BASSONIA – Ester Love campaign saw communities and good Samaritans coming together and giving what they could to bless abandoned babies who have found a home at Door of Hope.
When the Love Campaign started in October 2012, the aim of collecting at least six months’ worth of baby formula and nappies for Door of Hope, the undertaking by the El Bethel Fellowship Church seemed as big as Goliath.
Global icon Nelson Mandela said, “Our human compassion binds us one to the other – not in pity or patronisingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.”
The target was 600 packets of nappies and 600 NAN formula, all to be collected before December 15.
With the help of the southern communities, the Ester Love Campaign managed to collect a great deal of NAN formula, nappies, baby food, baby wipes and clothing.
Having received more than they expected, Door of Hope Liaison Officer Marcell Koortse said the donations were a blessing to the children’s mission.
She recalled shopping at a Spar in Bassonia and seeing a donation box with the label of Door of Hope on it, and wondering to herself who it was using their name. However, after confirming the partnership with the El Bethel Church with Door of Hope Project Manager Carmen Pretorius, she was happy to know that there was a campaign out there working for their benefit.
The Love Campaign hasn’t reached the end of the road though, as the target of 600 packets of nappies and 600 NAN Formula has not yet been attained and the El Bethel Fellowship ladies are still hoping to reach it.
April was announced as the extended cut-off month for donations which will all be handed over to selected beneficiaries, Door of Hope.
“Should there be more people who want to contribute to the Ester Love Campaign, they can drop off donations at Maggies Quick Spar in Mulbarton or they can contact the El Bethel Fellowship Church in Turffontein if they have other baby stuff they can donate,” said El Bethel Fellowship Church member, Mr Mark Brand.
The little babies of Door of Hope were not the only fortunate ones who benefitted from the generosity of communities and the Ester Love Campaign. The staff members who help to take care of their every need also received gifts of appreciation.
Special necklaces and other gifts were handed to each of the staff members in various Door of Hope branches to thank them for their contribution to the babies’ lives and their service to communities.
