Dancing into the picture

Tucked away in Shaka’s Head next to the N2 highway is the unassuming and largely unknown Ithemba Labasha children’s home.

The centre provides food, clothing and shelter to orphaned children from the surrounding area and also offers a full-time after school day-care facility for children whose parents work long hours.

On Thursday, June 25, a group of girls ranging from four to ten years old put on a dance show extravaganza at the centre.

In charge of the running of the centre and the care of the children who call it home, Debbie Joubert and Elna Rootman organised the event to raise greater awareness for the centre and the needs of the children.

“We provide 145 children with a hot cooked meal every Monday to Friday, which for many, is the only meal they will have all day,” said Joubert.

She said their team could not have pulled off such a successful day without all the help and support from their donors, members of the public, and all those who volunteered their time to making the day happen and run smoothly.

“We need many, many more supporters as we are still growing, but if only everyone could give or do a little, then great things can be achieved,” said Joubert, who expressed the centre’s desperate need for clothing, household goods, linen, food and kitchenware.

“In future we hope to run after-hour classes teaching basic trade skills such as bricklaying, electrical, plumbing, sewing and hairdressing to the unemployed youth to give them a chance at employment.”

For for more information about Ithemba Labasha children’s home, contact Debbie Joubert on 083 626 3856 or Elna Rootman or 083 448 5653.