After a long day, not many things compare to climbing into a bed with clean sheets, a warm duvet and a soft pillow.

For the children who call the centre home, it is also the inspiration behind a community linen drive ahead of Mandela Day.

The initiative began after one of the family homes, where eight children live with a dedicated house parent, received brand-new bedding.

House parent, Pops Lindani recently helped one of the boys make up his bed with fresh linen – a small moment that reminded organisers what a difference something as simple as new bedding can make.

“We would love every child in our care to experience that same feeling,” organisers said.

The Care Village is appealing to the community to help replace bedding that has been used over many years.

While donations of clean, good-quality linen are welcome, shopping vouchers or financial contributions are often more practical. They allow house parents to choose bedding in the correct sizes and styles for the children in their homes.

The greatest need is for three-quarter duvets and duvet covers, single fitted sheets, and standard pillows and pillowcases.

More than 100 children at the Middelburg Care Village dream of beds that feel like home, but sometimes turning dreams into reality, takes a village.

This Mandela Day, our town can make 108 traumatized, abandoned and disadvantaged children’s dreams come true.

Middelburg Care Village – Linen Drive