Provide nutrition for 500 families in South Africa

Dear friends

The shops in Port Elizabeth are all decked out in fairy lights and attractive decorations while festive music plays in the background.  Where has the year gone!  Beautiful cards depicting snowy scenes, and warm fires are all around – in great contrast to the sunny weather we have during the December period! 

It made me think of our own associations with the holidays.  If you are fortunate, we imagine your home to be filled with the great aromas of a beautifully cooked meal, the sounds of laughter, and perhaps a few presents wrapped in pretty paper.

In Missionvale, the scenario is much different.  The tiny homes (some built from brick, some from rusted metal) reach extremely hot temperatures which do not abate at night time due to the lack of ventilation.  For most of the children here, there are no gifts waiting, and food is as scarce as it has been throughout the rest of the year.  This year times are particularly tough as the economy has contracted terribly and the effects of massive job losses filter through to hit the poorest hardest.

Since our founder, Sr Ethel, started the Centre in 1988, she has always wanted to bring a little bit of magic to Missionvale around this time of year!  She started humbly, on the back of a donkey cart, handing out red balloons to the children!  Nearly three decades later, we now collect 5500 presents which are distributed to the little ones in the second week of December.  The parcels are modest and consist mostly of second hand toys or stationery needed for school.  This is achieved solely through donations received locally, as the red tape and costs involved in receiving items from abroad has made it impossible for us.   

It is therefore with deep gratitude that we are writing to you to thank all of you for giving throughout the year!  It is these donations that keep us going despite very trying circumstances at the moment.  Every morning, our staff come together to remember you in thanksgiving prayer.  With every food parcel we were able to purchase, you also helped us to give back a sense of hope; and in this downtrodden township, hope is everything.  With the funds raised through GlobalGiving, we have purchased 9467 food parcels which served 500 families for 18 weeks!

Links:

• Our Website