The fun day was held in celebration of Tshetlo’s birthday.
“It is something I want to do every year to give back and show kindness and love. I have a Facebook group called MELO (A Movement of Empowering and Loving Others), which I started this year, and through the group I wanted to encourage people to give back. This was my first initiative to give back. I was inviting people on different social media groups, and it escalated to over 3 370 people.
“Sherese responded to it, and wanted to invite Shauné, and they came through to join the initiative at Igugulethu. I bought lollipops, chips and facepaint for the children. I also brought puzzles, snakes and ladders and we played games with the children,” says Tshetlo.
The centre is a temporary place of safety for children aged zero to 12 years, who have been taken away from their families due to negligence, domestic violence etc., until the court decides what happens next, whether it be placing them with other family members or alternative means.
Some children are taken in alone, while others are brought in with their siblings.
The centre is funded by government and does not accept donations.
Andrie Louw, who is the head of the organisation, says although they don’t accept donations, they would still like people to get involved with the children.
“Contact with the children is very important and we appreciate when people come and give the children love,” she says.
The children were delighted to spend a few hours having fun and being treated.
