Gift A Child Children’s Home turns two
For nearly two years, Gift A Child Children's Home has provided love and security to vulnerable children, making a difference by giving back to the community, despite facing challenges.
Gift a Child Children’s Home will celebrate its second anniversary this June, marking two years of dedicated care, despite ongoing challenges. Founded with a vision of creating a better future for vulnerable children, the home has grown into a haven of support and community involvement.
Chairperson Larnell Mall stated the home’s purpose. “We established [the home] to build a better future for the next generation. Despite financial struggles, we have remained committed to providing for the children in our care.”
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The home has received significant support from various organisations, including the Linden Community Policing Forum (CPF) and Beagle Watch Security. “Linden CPF has been instrumental in creating awareness, ensuring a steady presence of community members at our home,” Mall explained.
Beagle Watch has also played a crucial role, providing free security services. “We do not pay a cent for security, and their response time is excellent. They have also donated new wheelie bins, cut the grass outside, and are planning to repaint the house, and put up a signboard,” he added.
Northcliff Rotary Club (NRC) has also stepped in to assist, with members like Charmaine Govender and Adriaan Milner offering financial and material support. “When we were struggling financially, Adriaan came on board, donating frequently – sometimes directly into the home’s account, or by surprising us with food deliveries,” Mall shared.
The home is also part of the Food Share Network, which allows it to collect surplus food from stores like Pick n Pay and Woolworths, for a monthly fee of R560. “We collect food six days a week from six different stores, and we use this to teach the children about giving back,” Mall said.
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The children actively participate in preparing food parcels, which they distribute to unemployed workers near the property. “This teaches them the value of generosity,” he explained. Additionally, food is regularly delivered to people living in shelters at the Victory Park dumpsite.
“Our motto is: ‘Gift hope, gift life, gift a child’. If we instill the spirit of giving early, it will shape them into compassionate adults who embrace the values of ubuntu,” Mall said.
Blanche Mann, who manages the home’s daily operations, ensures that the children feel at home, rather than in an institution. “I treat them as my own. We wash clothes, clean together, and do everything a family would do,” she said.
She also highlighted the importance of spirituality in the home. “Prayer is important to us. This is not a strict place; it’s a home where they feel loved and supported,” Mann added.
With their two-year milestone approaching, they remain dedicated to their mission. With continued community support, they hope to expand their impact and provide a brighter future for every child in their care.
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