A new beginning for Zamokuhle After Care children in Zandspruit

The children of Zamokuhle After Care in Zandspruit are doing a whole lot better after generous donations and support from community members.

“We are doing so well and we are so blessed with everything that has happened. I don’t even know how to begin to thank people for this,” said Ntabiseng Princess Kwakwari.

The biggest donation, in particular, is a building situated on the property of Thandanani House of Refuge, and was launched with a children’s party on 25 May.

“We approached Thandanani to inquire about a vacant building on their property, and when we asked how much we needed to pay for rent, they said not to worry about it,” said Megan Botha of the charity Beanies for Beings.

Thandanani was established to give hope to abandoned, abused, orphaned and neglected children in the Zandspruit community.

The building, fitted with plumbing, running water and electricity, needed only a few improvements. Due to this existing structure, the children can now be in a clean environment free from open sewage, they can be washed and bathed and use flushing toilets.

The children are no longer playing in dust and mud or learning in an environment without electricity.

With all the building material and playground equipment that was donated, volunteers took joy in the renovation.

“With everything that has been donated, we were able to renovate the entire building, and we haven’t even begun with the outside work,” said Norman Marshall of Independent Traders.

Marshall saw the original article in the Randburg Sun expressing a need for community support in helping the children of the facility.

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Marshall said, “It is such a rewarding experience, it really fills a big hole in you. Sometimes, especially when you get older, you wonder what you can do to give back, and this is something that I take tremendous joy in doing.”

Marshall contacted Botha who told him how he could help, and with help from other members of his company, travelled for weeks into the township to help renovate the new building.

He continued, “The work has not been easy, but it is all practical and ran smoothly with all of the donated materials that we had at hand.”

A volunteer on the renovation project, who wanted to be known only as Eugene added, “It was such an amazing experience, I love the feeling of helping people who really need it. With all donations given to Princess, the work was easy.”

The team of three volunteers worked for almost three weeks on the renovations. The property has also been secured thanks to the installation of a new fence at the rear of the property.

Botha added, “We have received so many donations that we will be delivering them to other crèches during the month, and the Beanies for Beings’ next project is the renovation of a community centre in Kromdraai with Eugene and Norman.”

Now that the building work has been completed, the team plans to grow a vegetable garden on the property to have a constant and sustainable free source of food.

They will also install additional playground equipment that was donated by the community.

Details: Beanies for Beings – 079 089 3739