VIDEO: More than 500 teddies are donated to Botshabelo Babies Home
CROWTHORNE – Thanks to the combined effort of Fourways Crossing, the Fourways Review and the community, Botshabelo Children's Home received 500 teddy bears this festive season.
“It’s important to be involved in the community, especially at this time of year,” said Norman Dawe, branch manager for the Greater Joburg North Branch of Caxton Local Media.
“It was great when Fourways Crossing asked us to partner with them on this initiative, as they also care about their community.”
The teddy bears and toys were collected at the Fourways Crossing centre off William Nicol Drive where a giant wire bear had been set up to house the donations.
“Fourways and surrounds collected about 500 teddies in the last few weeks,” said Janice Coopoosamy, centre manager for Fourways Crossing.
“Altogether, we transported about 15 bin bags full of toys to Botshabelo today, with each bag holding between 30 and 40 teddies inside.”
Botshabelo Babies home was founded about 17 years ago, initially as a home for abandoned or orphaned children from the community. In 2011, the non-profit organisation expanded its reach to include preschool support, which provided quality education to children and also started the UpliftED Teacher Training Programme which trains educators and provides access to educational resources.
Botshabelo’s reach extends not only into its own community and neighbouring Olievenhoutbosch but across the city of Johannesburg and as far away as Limpopo.
“We are so happy with the donation,” said Makopano Mutloatse, part of the Botshabelo fundraising team when she accepted the donation on behalf of the home.
“Your [the community’s] partnership with us helps take care of our most vulnerable members of society. This will allow us to care for our children well.”
Mutloatse added that some of the toys would be included in food parcels which Botshabelo would distribute to the Olievenhoutbosch community in the coming weeks for the festive season. The remainder of the toys will be shared among preschools supported by Botshabelo in the new year.
“The children will get something that they will be able to call their own.”
The Botshabelo Babies Home is always in need of support. Donations of formula (the Nan and Lactogen brands), nappies (sizes 0 to 4) and baby toys (particularly those made of plastic and wood) are always welcome.
If you would like to learn more about the organisation, volunteer your time with them, visit the home or visit the contact page on their website www.botshabelo.co.za/contact-us
