Festive fun fills the air at children’s Christmas party

GRAAFF-REINET — “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” Nelson Mandela

Management at Vuyani Safe Haven would like to thank Sarah Tompkins and the rest of the team at Samara Private Game Reserve for once again putting together the most magical Christmas party for the children and staff of Vuyani Safe Haven at their beautiful eserve.

“We salute you for making the difference!”

Vuyani Safe Haven’s children and staff, were so privileged to have their end-of-the-year Christmas party at Samara Private Game Reserve for the eighth time in a row.

Sarah Tompkins, the co-founder of Samara, has initiated the ongoing liaison between this sterling private game reserve and the Vuyani Child and Youth Care Centre, (a children’s home situated in Graaff-reinet for 30 vulnerable children from the Beyers Naudè Municipality and also from Cradock and Somerset-east). In Sarah’s own words she tells about their commitment to this remarkable game reserve in the Karoo: “Samara is a long-term project, a lifelong project for the Tompkins family, and a project that will outlive us all.” Montego Pet Nutrition assisted Vuyani with one of their buses for the transport of the Vuyani children and staff to Samara, together with the Vuyani bus (funded by LOTTO). The children and staff were welcomed at the Samara Manor - described in the words of the Samara website:

“Upon arrival at the Manor, your eye is drawn through the glass double doors flanked by beaded African artwork and traditional Karoo antiques to the breath-taking views beyond. The Karoo mountain landscape unfolds over a 21m infinity pool, descending to a waterhole frequently visited by buffalo, warthogs and monkeys.”

Vuyani’s children played games on the lawn, were spoiled with snacks and a lovely lunch and had the amazing experience of seeing the herd of six elephant cows recently introduced at Samara while on a game drive like real tourists. They also enjoyed the luxury of the swimming pool with a splash pool at the bottom for the little ones. Later during the day the elephant visited the waterhole and could again be seen at a distance.

The sight of the elephants and the arrival of Father Christmas competed for the position of the ultimate high point of the day.

One little girl wanted to walk on Father Christmas’ feet and with so much patience he allowed the time for her to take a few steps on his feet. Then he handed out a present for each child. With much enjoyment they opened their big Christmas bags and just loved their new toys.

The girls received jumping ropes, baby dolls and Karaoke microphones and the boys big battery-operated cars, tipping trucks, marbles and yo-yo’s.

For weeks the Vuyani staff and children practised and led by one of the children they sang with joy: “We wish you a merry Christmas”. With sad hearts goodbyes were said to the wonderful staff at Samara when a 5-year girl of Vuyani and her little friends sang the Afrikaans rendition of Auld Lang Syne.