If only every day were Mandela Day for Hotel Hope Ministries

The childrens charity was showed all the support on Mandela Day with 20 corporates stepping up to help make a difference,

5 hours ago

Neo Phashe 2 minutes read

Books collected by Alphabet Soup that will be donated to various charities, one of them being Hotel Hope. Photo: Neo Phashe

There is no day like Mandela Day for Hotel Hope Ministries. Come July 18, this local children’s charity revels in the delight of having companies and community members come from far and wide just to spend 67 minutes with them, with the aim to accomplish something great.

Oliver Quambusch with Kyle Jonathan, from the Goethe-Institut South Africa, Photo: Neo Phashe

As the charity’s executive founder, Oliver Quambusch, described, this year was no different, with several companies coming forward throughout the day to lend a hand at positively impacting the lives of the children the home serves as a safe space to. As a way to promote the harvest of something beautiful, the Goethe-Institut South Africa, not only spent time with the children but they also donated some plants, which, much like the little ones, will grow to be strong. This team not only upgraded the garden, they also donated supplies the home had on its needs list.

Executive founder of Hotel Hope, Oliver Quambusch, with Nikki Lewin of Alphabet Soup. Photo: Neo Phashe

At the same time, as one made their way inside the home, a team from Bryte Insurance was found happily painting a recently subdivided room.

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Representatives from the Goethe-Institut South Africa at Hotel Hope Ministries Westdene home. Photo: Neo Phashe

A day like this, for the organisation, has come to manifest itself as an important community day, “Opening our doors, particularly to corporates who might not have been involved with the organisation prior. This day has really grown beyond all expectations.”

A child from Hotel Hope colours in a picture of Nelson Mandela. Photo: Neo Phashe

Throughout the day they had 20 corporates extend a hand to them. Some of these companies donated much needed items, much like Alphabet Soup, a media buying company, which has, for the last decade, hosted a Mandela Day book drive. “We are one of the main beneficiaries of this book drive. The community donates books to the media company’s offices, and they donate these to worthy causes,” said Quambusch. He added that books are always needed in an organisation like theirs. Through this, the children get beautiful story time books.

The Bryte Insurance team paints a room at Hotel Hope for Mandela Day. Photo: Neo Phashe

Last year, their biggest donation was R67 000, given to them by a company whose employees had each donated money. “Mandela [Day] makes a big difference, and goes towards us being able to keep our premises pristine, and it’s [a] fundraiser as well as, being a great way for people to donate in kind. Our pantry’s, by mid year, usually quite empty, and now [it’s] stocked up again.”