BARBERTON – There is a place of hope just outside town. It is where a handful of children has come to find solace, acceptance and some form of normality.
Ten smiling faces greet you as you walk up to the sandpit, each one hoping for a chance to have a picture taken. A bright chorus of “hellos” fills the air and soon you are inundated with heartfelt hugs as little arms are flung around you.
These orphans are probably the most loving souls you will ever meet. They have been brought here by social services or abandoned by parents who could not take care of them adequately. But this is not an institution, it is a home, a safe haven, a place of nurturing – It is Jinda.
Jinda Child Care was started by Peter and Wilma Bakker a few years ago when they realised a dire need existed within the community to have a place at which otherwise destitute children, would be afforded a chance at life. Currently the orphanage, situated on the Bakker’s farm near Prison Farm outside Barberton, accommodates 10 kids aged one to 12.
Despite limited resources and the unavailability of funding, the Bakkers have managed to accommodate the needs of these children, both in education and love.
They have a fully equipped school with basic facilities to house and care for the pupils during the day and have gone one step further by converting two of the abandoned staff quarters into homes where the kids have a family environment to return to after school.
The homes as well as the school can at this stage offer only the very basic essentials and it is their hope that with the right funding they will be able to equip and upgrade all their facilities fully and offer their children a brighter future.
It is for this reason that a fund-raiser will be held for the orphanage on Thursday October 30 at Umbali.
This will be a glamorous cocktail-style affair and will feature international electric violinist, Naomi Tagg. Tagg is best known for her performances alongside international superstars such as Sir Elton John, Celine Dion, John Legend, Michael Bolton and the Soweto String Quartet.
Originally from South Africa, this fantastic performer now resides in the UK.
Corporate tables and individual tickets for the event will be on sale for only R200 per person or R2 000 per corporate table of 10.
The proceeds will go towards the improvement of the facilities and the quality of life of the children at Jinda Child Care.
There will also be a silent auction to raise further funds for this care centre after the event. You could change these children’s universe, by expanding yours. Enquiries and bookings: Alison Blair on 083-254-5004 or Lynda Bakker on 084-622-5474.
