Local community group supports families and children in need

The Ubuntu Community dedicated their time to supporting families in need by hosting a Christmas outreach to spread festive cheer and provide much-needed assistance.

The team visited families in December, bringing the spirit of Christmas to homes across the community.

The Christmas outreach was Ubuntu’s first initiative focused specifically on doing something special for children.

Community members and Ubuntu team members were invited to nominate families who were struggling to make ends meet. In addition to the outreach, the team regularly conducts welfare checks and distributes food parcels.

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“We try to do a minimum of 10 food packages on the third weekend of every month for families nominated by Ubuntu team members or the community.

“We felt that if a family is struggling, we should not only provide food but also include something special for the children,” said Ubuntu and Batho Pele member Genevè Christopher.

“Initially, we would have liked to host a full-scale Christmas party for about 20 children identified by the community. However, due to limited resources, we decided to put together kiddies’ goodie bags with a small gift and some sweets,” she added.

The outreach brought smiles to children in Birchleigh, Edleen and Van Riebeeck Park, with Santa Claus joining the team and driving through the neighbourhoods in his red car.

While children received goodie bags from Santa, their families received food parcels.

The convoy drive, which included the Ubuntu team, CPF patrollers and committee members, added to the festive atmosphere. Seeing Santa and receiving a gift were highlights for many children.

Christopher said planning for the outreach began only after the November food drive, due to limited funds.

“We technically planned from October, but we could only start fundraising at the end of November once we knew what our budget would be.

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“The number of nominated children also nearly doubled by the time distribution took place,” she said.

Despite the challenges, the Ubuntu team said the outreach exceeded expectations. Although initially planned for 20 children, the team distributed 43 children’s goodie bags thanks to last-minute donations and community support.

Ubuntu emphasised that the organisation would not be possible without the ongoing support of the community, which contributes monthly through cash donations, clothing and household items.

“We would like to thank everyone who was involved, the donors who contributed to the party packs, the community members who donated money and purchased raffle tickets, and Mooifontein Primary for donating non-perishable food items.

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“Thank you to CCF, especially Willem du Plessis and Dawid, as well as the patrollers who joined the convoy and helped distribute items,” said Christopher.

“We also thank the community members who donated clothing and shoes, the team members who volunteered their time to assist with shopping and packaging, those who ran the white elephant table at the Christmas market, and the community member who donated all the soft toys for the kiddies’ goodie bags. A special thank you to Santa, Terence, and his ‘sleigh’,” she added.