Restaurant treats Sithabile children for Gujarat new year
Education is prioritised as every child in the care of Sithabile attends school.
A feeding was held for the Sithabile Child and Youth Care Centre at the Tandoor House of Curries in Northmead recently.
The centre caters to the needs of abandoned babies and children in society and becomes a permanent home for the children.
Benoni resident, co-owner and head chef of the family-owned restaurant Nikita Dahya said the centre was close to her family’s heart and that they have been giving food and toys to Sithabile (based in Cloverdene) for about 10 years.
ALSO READ:
Local church raises funds every Saturday
“As a family we feed the home for Diwali and the Gujarati new year,” she explained.
About 20 children were served tandoori chicken burgers, chips and juice and they were also treated to goodie bags that included sweets and biscuits.
Founder of the organisation Thabisile Msezani said she established the centre 25 years ago after she saw a need for less fortunate children to receive an education in spite of not being able to afford going to school.
The former educator said helping children became her passion and seeing them receiving an education while in her care was thoroughly rewarding.
At present the centre cares for 35 individuals from as young two years old.
Muzi Hlatshwayo, who joined the centre more than 10 years ago as a youth in need, was physically abused by his father as a child.
Despite his circumstances, Muzi found the centre with the help of the police and has not looked back since.
“To me all that mattered was my education,” he said.
“I did not want to be involved in drugs and alcohol.
“At the home, I learnt gardening and cooking skills.
“I now have an adult teaching certificate and I am working towards my degree in education.
“I want to teach Grades Four to Nine and I want others to also value their education.”
Co-manager of the centre Solly Sekoai said he was grateful to the Dahya family.
“They introduced us to vision-boarding and they often do motivational talks with us,” said Solly.
“We have a lot of fun with them and they are family to us.”
