Babies’ home saved
Bobby and Karlien van Jaarsveld took up the challenge to save El-Shammah Home for Abandoned Babies and Place of Safety.
The babies in the care of El-Shammah Home for Abandoned Babies and Place of Safety, in Primrose, can all rest easy now as they have a safe place to stay.
And the safety comes after celebrity siblings Bobby and Karlien van Jaarsveld and the Jacaranda FM Good Morning Angels stepped in to help raise funds to purchase the house they are homed in.
The owners of the property put the house on sale late last year (GCN, December 2, 2016).
The home’s managing couple, Alistair and Merencia Scholtz, was given first preference to purchase the property.
“We were happy to be given first preference but we were also concerned because the organisation didn’t have R850 000 to buy the house,” said Alistair.
The money had to be raised by January 31.
Merencia said things changed when two women visited the home in December.
“One of them works at Jacaranda FM, but I only discovered that when I told them that we are in need of funds,” said Merencia.
“I was advised to send an email explaining everything to the Good Morning Angels show on Jacaranda FM.”
The email sent by Merencia came just in time as Bobby and Karlien van Jaarsveld were being challenged to walk a day in the life of Jacaranda FM Good Morning Angels’ shoes.
This was in line with the siblings’ reality show ‘In Jou Skoene’ which sees Bobby and Karlien forced into situations that are out of their comfort zone.
This time they had to ‘live a day in the life’ of Dianne Broodryk, from Good Morning Angels.
“Bobby and Karlien were challenged by their family and Jacaranda to complete a task which the Good Morning Angels team usually do,” explained Merencia.
“Jacaranda chose our email as the siblings’ challenge.
“Once they accepted the challenge, we were informed that they would be coming to visit the home.”
The couple said they were not ready for what they experienced during Bobby and Karlien’s visit.
“They came here the day after we had been informed that they would come,” said Alistair.
“They spent the day at the home and what humble souls they are; and it was obvious that they were committed to raising funds for the home.
“Days after their visit we were informed that they had managed to raise R300 000.
“My wife and I were lost for words and had more hope in being able to save the house for the babies.”
Alistair also said once Bobby and Karlien raised R300 000, they asked for the property owner’s contact details.
“I gave them Frikkie Spies’ contact details, as Bobby wanted to ask him for an extension to raise the funds,” said Alistair.
“Spies was understanding and extended it to April, which we were very grateful for.”
Merencia and Alistair were also invited to the radio station.
“We were interviewed on the show and our story, together with the visit, was featured on ‘In Jou Skoene’,” explained Merencia.
“Once the show aired, we started receiving calls from people across the country wanting to donate.”
Merencia added that people were not only donating money but also goods and baby products.
Bobby and Karlien encouraged people to donate on the crowdfunding website Candystick, which saw them collecting over R300 000.
The home’s managing couple were informed in March that enough had been raised to buy the house.
“We couldn’t believe it; we were shocked at how quickly the money was raised,” said Alistair.
“We are happy because the home has been saved for the babies.”
In addition to the donations was a revamp by Baby Roomz.
“Bobby and Karlien’s mother, Ronel Brink, arranged for Baby Roomz to give the babies’ rooms a revamp,” explained Merencia.
“We are humbled by all of this; we appreciate all the efforts and everything received from everybody.”
Alistair also expressed his gratitude.
“A big thank you to Bobby and Karlien and the Jacaranda FM family,” said Alistair.
“Another great thank you goes to everybody who heeded our call for help because without the public’s generosity this wouldn’t have been possible.
“We thank God for opening people’s hearts.”
Also read:
Abandoned babies have new champions
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