Lend a hand and bring a smile to the faces of learners

In the hopes of making this Christmas special for learners at Child Welfare SA Edenvale and Bedfordview’s Pinocchio Educare Centre, the NEWS is appealing to residents for assistance.

This year marks the 12th year that Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS and partners have hosted a Christmas function for the children of the centre.

However, with the pandemic, the NEWS is uncertain if it will be able to host a party.

Despite this, it wants to ensure each of the 34 learners receives a Christmas gift and has a smile on their faces this festive season.

Chairperson of the local welfare, Pieter le Roux, said the Christmas function is often the biggest highlight of the year for many of learners.

Pieter committed to purchasing five gifts and said he would ask his neighbours if they could assist with gifts.

“You have to be here for the gift unwrapping to truly understand what it means to these children,” said Pieter.

“To see their faces light up with excitement as they open their gift is truly amazing.”

He said for some children the Christmas present they receive at the Christmas function may be the only present they receive.

Vice-chairperson of the welfare, Nikki van der Walt, said the event is often the highlight of the year for the children.

“Every year we have had this event I have taken a video and it is quite something to go back and re-watch all the videos from over the years,” said Pieter.

Nikki urged the community and businesses to help make this day a special and memorable day for the learners.

The centre needs 29 readers to adopt a child and buy a Christmas present for that child.

Pieter said readers should not spend more than R150 on the gifts.

Readers can phone the NEWS and we will provide you with a child’s name, age and gender to ensure you buy a special gift for him or her.

The NEWS may be contacted on 011 822 1792.