Formal sector reaches out

MSHOLOZI – Employees of a well-known financial institution recently brought a smile to the faces of more than 60 children from a local orphanage known as Mama Esther’s Safe Haven.

Volunteers from the head offices of FNB Public Sector Banking donated food parcels, which included packets of mealie meal, rice, canned goods and other non-perishable food, baby stuff including formula milk and packets of pampers as well as laundry detergents such as powder soap and toiletries.

They also presented both new and second-hand clothes to the centre to keep the children warm. The fun-filled day began with a scrumptuous lunch which the bank staff served to the kids. The toddlers were carried around by the loving employees and spoiled rotten. Many of them spent their time playing on jumping castles which were also hired for the day. Each child was also presented with a goody bag containing bath soaps, towels, a toothbrush, toothpaste, balloons and sweets.

“The volunteers raised money from their own pockets to make this day a success. Our motto is helping from the heart. When we raise funds it comes from the heart and the whole purpose of this programme is to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate,” explained Mr Bongani Gcwabaza, the head of investments public sector banking.

He said the volunteers had previously extended a helping hand to a number of needy people and schools in different communities in Johannesburg. “We recently donated furniture to a needy school in Hammanskraal. We identify where we can help in our communities,” he said.

Gcwabaza added they were excited to finally come to the centre which was previously selected to benefit from the programme by the former regional manager in the province, Ms Tsidi Lebenya who also attended the event and other representatives of the Nelspruit branch.

He mentioned they now consider the centre as the bank’s extended family and friends. “We hope the little we did leaves an impact.” He also urged the learners to study hard and to always know that nothing is impossible in this world and education is the key to open locked doors.

“We hope this relationship will grow from one level to the next. There is a brighter future for all of you,” he said.

Other volunteers said they were happy to have been part of this inisiative. “It was my first time to visit a home such as this, and above all I don’t regret it. I’m also impressed with the leadership of the centre’s manager and founder Mama Esther Nkosi. The children are clean and well disciplined,” said Thabiso Rahube.

Ms Nadele Kokt said the experience was emotional, “But I count it as a blessing”. Her colleague Ms Krystle Sanderson said, “It is heartbreaking how someone could decide to dump or leave such a lovely baby,” she said referring to one of the babies called Ruth. Some of the volunteers said Mama Esther needs all the assistance she can get from the community and anyone concerned, “What you realise is that there is a lot of hard work to be done. She really needs to be assisted. She really touched my heart,” they said.

Mama Nkosi gladly received the parcels and expressed her appreciation to the bank and Tsidi, who she said occasionally come to donate seedlings for the centre’s garden as well as clothes. Nkosi opened and registered her safe haven as a non-profit organisation in 2004 and currently depend on donations from various donors including police, churches, and members of the community.