Teen donates gifts to children

DOUGLASDALE – Twenty-seven children received items on their Christmas wish list thanks to a Grade 11 Hoerskool Monument learner.

March 2, 2021

Khomotso Makgabutlane 1 minute read

Nikkita Odendaal, Saneliswa Mqobongo and Zelda Visser with a cake for the staff at Girls' and Boys' Town Kagiso. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Christmas came again for vulnerable children at a non-profit organisation, thanks to the donations of a community in Douglasdale on 13 February.

Grade 11 learner at Hoërskool Monument, Nikkita Odendaal, started a project in August last year with the goal of giving back to others. She called on residents in the Douglasdale community to assist her with donations to Boys’ and Girls’ Town.

Grade 11 Hoërskool Monument learner Nikkita Odendaal hands over a gift to a child at Girls’ and Boys’ Town Kagiso.

Throughout December last year community members and learners at her school donated presents that were on the wish lists of the kids at the NPO. The presents and handmade Christmas decorations were then taken to the organisation and handed out to the children.

Nikkita Odendaal, Saneliswa Mqobongo and Zelda Visser with a cake for the staff at Girls’ and Boys’ Town Kagiso. Photos: Khomotso Makgabutlane

After many delays due to Covid-19 and the shift in the school academic calendar, the children were finally able to receive their presents. It was all thanks to the community members, Nikkita’s parents Zelda Visser and Richard Pelczarski and the Monument CP hostel.

Daniella Schafer and Zelda Visser sort through the number of presents donated for the children at Girls’ and Boys’ Town Kagiso. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

“I’m so thankful for the community and my parents for supporting me through this, and I’m so happy about what we’ve done for these kids today,” said Nikkita.

Richard Pelczarski shares an inspirational message for the children at non-profit organisation Girls’ and Boys’ Town Kagiso.

Manager at Girls’ and Boys’ Town Kagiso, Saneliswa Mqobongo said she did not expect so many presents for the children. “We always say to people ‘whatever you can give’. Even if we do give a list, but it can be whatever you are able to donate whether on the list or not. We did not expect for most the children’s wishes to be granted.

Saneliswa Mqobongo, manager at Girls’ and Boys’ Town Kagiso welcomes all the children and attendees to celebrate the donated items from the Pipers and Condor community. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

“It is so beautiful to see their happy faces and shouts of jubilations. We are so grateful to Nikkita and her family for what they have done.”

A child who received donated Christmas presents unwraps her presents from her wish list. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

As the children opened their presents, there were squeals and screams of excitement with some even running to their mentors to show what they received, and to Nikkita to show their immense gratitude.