Businessmen bring joy to local hostel

Michael and Emma Phytides, Waylen Naidoo and Ruan Cloete visited the hostel in person to meet with the staff and children, and by the time they left, there were smiles all around.

July 19, 2019

Vryheid Herald 1 minute read

Pendo Home's Henrietta Barry with Ruan Cloete, Waylen Naidoo and Michael and Emma Phytides, along with hostel mother, Thembi Mlotshwa (seated) and children, CK Barry, Kuhle Sibisi, Mesuli Nxumalo, Siyamthanda Masondo, Michael Barry and Philisiwe Xaba.

Pendo Home is a hostel in Vryheid, with a name meaning ‘worth’.

An extension of the Risen Son Academy, this name is fitting as Henrietta Barry explained what inspired it: “We believe every child has worth, hence the name, and we want them to feel loved and safe and to give them a home away from home.”

Last week, a group of local businessmen assisted the hostel with donations including groceries, stationery and toys.

Ruan Cloete, Michael Phytides and Waylen Naidoo were part of the generous initiative.

Michael and Emma Phytides, Waylen Naidoo and Ruan Cloete visited the hostel in person to meet with the staff and children, and by the time they left, there were smiles all around. The children marveled at the kindness of these strangers, who brought some joy to this home away from home. A family man himself, Phytides smiled as he passed on his donation of a bagful of toys to the children and thanked his fellow businessmen, who also gave generously, for joining him in the initiative.

“We would really like to thank them for what they have done for the hostel,” beamed Mrs Barry. “We are so grateful for their generosity, and feel incredibly blessed they chose to assist us.”