LEADING toy retailer, Toys R Us, partnered with The Pavilion Shopping Centre to spread joy to more than 80 orphaned and abandoned children this Mandela Day.
The toy giant was part of the Power of Literacy revamp project, initiated by The Pavilion Shopping Centre, where they chose to dedicate their Mandela minutes to the St Martins Children’s Home in Glenwood.
Inspired by the world’s greatest moral and political leader of our time, the team decided to convert a vacant room at the children’s home into an educational game centre. “We wanted to give the children a space they could enjoy and escape the problems they are faced with on a regular basis. We felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude that we, along with our generous partners were collectively able to make a significant difference to the lives of these children,” said Julie-Anne Zuma, the Pavilion Shopping Centre’s marketing manager.
They expressed gratitude to Toys R Us for its substantial donation of board games and play items as the gifts brought a lot of smiles to the children. “We were hugely touched by their gratitude, which we could not have given them without the support of Toys R Us as well as Mr Price Home,” said Julie-Anne.
In addition, the team revamped the outdoor soccer field as well as the netball and basketball courts in an effort to encourage outdoor play and activity for the children at St Martin’s Children’s Home.
With the generous donation from Mr Price Home, the team provided the children with much needed linen, pillows, scatter cushions, blankets and duvets.
Through its commitment to the drive to promote education among children of KwaZulu-Natal, The Pavilion Shopping Centre also donated school books to the children at the home in a bid to ensure that their new school term will be an enjoyable one.
