Outpouring of love for children’s home

The small but very sweet Ithemba Labasha children’s home in Shaka’s Head was visited last Wednesday, October 14 by a clutch of staff from Growthpoint Properties, who pledged their support for the fledgling children’s centre.

With paintbrushes in hand, Growthpoint’s team of staff set aside a couple of hours to help paint the interior walls of the centre’s future computer lab.

Decorated in bright shades of blue, pink and yellow, each wall brightly reflects the efforts of everyone involved.

The paint was sponsored by Growthpoint, and head of corporate social responsibility (CSR) at the company, Shawn Theunissen said that his team’s visit to Ithemba Labasha was just one of many social development programmes they are committed to around the country.

“We want to engage staff in these initiatives to both get them involved with the local communities surrounding our business, and to see how Growthpoint can support the centre in the future,” said Theunissen, who added that in addition to sponsoring the paint used to redecorate, the company also donated benches for the children.

While at the centre, a string of phone calls were made, which led to Growthpoint pledging further support in the form of plumbing, roofing, landscaping, electrical work and the provision of first aid equipment and training for the staff of the centre.

In addition to this, a fire extinguisher and fire blanket have been promised for added kitchen safety, as well as a new lawn and a number of trees, which are also to be planted.

Founder of Ithemba Labasha, Debbie Joubert, said that she was overwhelmed with the amount of support the centre was now receiving from the community.

“I cannot believe how much we are being helped, and we are so grateful for all the support. A huge amount of the renovation work we need done here has already been pledged and it is all going to mean so much to our children,” said Joubert, who added that a new security fence and playground for the children are part of the centre’s future plans.

Ithemba Labasha looks after 45 day-to-day children at its creche, but hosts over 140 children every afternoon for their daily after school meal.

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