Fourways resident celebrates her birthday by donating to charity

DIEPSLOOT – Mandy Brennan spent a very special birthday with the women and children of Sophie's Daycare Haven, which she chose to support instead of spoiling herself on her special day.

May 29, 2019

Robyn Kirk 2 minutes read

Mandy Brennan and Michelle Kirk at Sophie's Daycare Haven in Diepsloot West. Photo: Robyn Kirk

For her birthday, Mandy Brennan received 20 child-size mattresses with material covers, eight plastic chairs and two plastic tables, some second-hand toys, space mats, non-perishable food and 15 blankets.

It may seem like an odd assortment of gifts for an adult, but the Fourways resident didn’t spend the day focused on herself – instead, she dedicated her birthday to the women and children of Sophie’s Daycare Haven, which is located in Diepsloot West. Instead of throwing herself a party, Brennan asked her friends and family to donate items for the daycare, which is run by Sophie Mlambo.

Unity College, the special needs school located in Chartwell North, also came on board to collect donations.

“I never really do anything for my birthday,” Brennan explained. “I heard about Sophie on social media, she had been requesting assistance for an Easter programme [for her daycare] and I decided instead of a party and gifts, I’d do something for her. The response to my call for donations has been amazing.

“My son used to attend Unity College, and I knew they would be willing to help get donations for Sophie as well.”

Sophie Mlambo has been working with children for about 30 years and finally realised her dream to open a daycare centre in January. Photo: Robyn Kirk

Mlambo has almost 30 years’ experience in childcare and dreamed of opening her own daycare to serve the Diepsloot community. After becoming part of the Rhiza Babuyile Community Development foundation, which works to develop skills and enterprise in informal settlements, Mlambo started being mentored by a nursery school owner in Midrand and opened Sophie’s Daycare Haven in January of this year. Also through the foundation, she is studying subjects like teaching, nutrition and administrative skills.

On 16 May, Brennan’s actual birthday, Mlambo, the two women she employs at the daycare and the 14 children aged between eight months and six years old who attend the centre welcomed the birthday girl for a party and the handover of the donations.

“Mandy has been a blessing to me,” Mlambo told the Fourways Review. “The matresses especially are so wonderful, as winter is coming and I had nothing for the children to sleep on during nap time.

“With this daycare, I wanted to create a place where children in the township could be nurtured, especially the children who don’t do well in other schools because they are ‘naughty’ or ‘too busy’. Every child should have the chance to learn.”

During the birthday, party guests, staff and children sang happy birthday and ate cake, and the little ones even got a party pack each from Brennan. Besides Brennan’s friends and former co-workers, three staff members from Unity College were also in attendance.

Michelle Kirk of Unity College plays with the children of Sophie’s Daycare Haven.

“I’m so grateful we came here today,” said Michelle Kirk of the school. “Sophie and Unity College are fighting the same fight – every child deserves a good education, no child should be sidelined.

“Both Sophie’s Daycare and Unity College face the same challenges, and believe fiercely in the best opportunities, be it education or just facilities, for our young people to flourish.”