The underprivileged people of Geduld came out in large numbers on Wednesday to catch a glimpse of Santa and to receive a meal.
Mirriam Ntsele (62), owner of the Thandabantu Care Centre, “believes in giving back to the people,” she says
The centre, which has been open for four years, relies on sponsors, donations and in times of need Mirriam, fondly known as “Gogo Mirriam” uses her pension money to fund the centre.
While Mirriam and her volunteers were adding the finishing touches to the party decor, children and adults lined the street, waiting to enter the Thandabantu premises to enjoy the meal prepared with food donations from a well-known company.
The company also donated sweets and gifts for the Christmas party.
When Santa arrived the boys and girls formed single-file lines and were given their gift, party pack and food.
Girls all received backpacks which included sanitary towels.
Boys received backpacks with notebooks.
Mirriam stayed consistently busy, ensuring all the children received the same and that no child went unseen.
Yolande Smit, (40) a volunteer at the centre says, “We feed on average 160 children daily, only every Saturday do we cook meals for the adults.”
The Thandabantu Centre currently has 26 volunteers.
Yolande adds, “After school the children make their way to the centre and are fed a ‘home-cooked’ meal, no food parcels are sent home.
“Expenses are high but the children come first,” says Mirriam.
