Smiles and laughter were brought to the faces of more than 100 children and 15 babies from the Botshabelo Babies Home and Preschool during the recent heartwarming Chocolate Egg Hunt.
Hosted by the IIE’s Varsity College Waterfall campus’ VC Cares (student volunteer body), the excitement began as the children took a break from their classes to search for five hidden chocolate eggs each, with the VC Cares team on hand to assist.
The day was not just about collecting eggs, as VC Cares played some games and painted the faces of the children, ensuring every child had a memorable experience.
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About 836 chocolate eggs were collected on campus through a Chocolate Egg Drive. The Chocolate Egg Drive is an initiative designed to celebrate the holidays inclusively while fostering a sense of community and social responsibility among students.
The donations included 24 boxes, five strings, six candy-coated eggs, and three milk chocolate eggs, of which Botshabelo Babies Home and Preschool received 504 chocolate eggs. The remainder of the eggs was shared with Yenzani Children’s Home, ensuring they too could enjoy the festive cheer with their chocolate egg hunt.
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Halle Cuandre Lorcia Swarts, a third-year Bachelor of Laws student and VC Cares volunteer, said their visit to the Botshabelo was a poignant reminder of the resilience and hope that define the lives of children who come from different backgrounds and circumstances.
“As I stepped into the preschool, I was greeted by the warm smiles of all the children. Their innocent nature blossomed with curiosity and enthusiasm during the Chocolate Egg Hunt and the face painting we hosted for them,” said Swarts.
“The Botshabelo Babies Home and Preschool provides a haven for children, and I am proud that VC Cares and the students could be a part of that. I encouraged the children to be kind to one another and to be ambitious without limiting themselves.”
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Swarts added the most important aspect that stood out for them was the joy, happiness, and overall carefree look on the children’s faces.
“Knowing that we made a difference touched my heart because I want to make a change in the world in all sorts of ways. Joining VC Cares was one of the best decisions I have ever made because VC Cares aims to better the lives of the community as well as encourage good citizenship among the students.”
“As a proud law student, I think it is important for our government to do everything in its power to establish societal public programmes that promote the support of children who come from different backgrounds and circumstances.”
The joyful engagement at Botshabelo not only provided fun but also served as an educational opportunity, highlighting the importance of community involvement and the impact of kindness.
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