Much like its name, Marang House was the ray of sunshine Roosevelt Park needed on a chilly September 27, when it hosted a fun day in an effort to raise funds for the home. The day saw former Premier Soccer League player Rene Richards spend time with the children, teaching them some football.

Matron and caregiver at the home, which takes in children faced with serious health conditions and acts as legal guardians for them, Salome Parkies said adding to the day’s festivities were the birthday celebrations of three of the children. “They were all really excited to get the opportunity to train with Rene.”

Read more: Garden Day sees trees and vegetable patch planted at Marang House

People often think, because most of the children are on dialysis, they cannot be as active as other children their ages. “So, such days for them are very important, as they spend half of their lives in hospital. Coming to Marang feels like coming home to them, and not to a hospital under a doctor’s guard.”

Even though the children she helps care for are more resilient than they may look, sometimes the matron needs to exercise caution. More often than not, she doesn’t tell the children about famous guests coming to see them, to protect them from the negative effects, like a rise in their blood pressures, should those visits not materialise. “This time around though, I had to share that something would take place in celebration of the three birthdays.”

Parkies feels a strong duty to protect these children, especially since many of them come from outside Gauteng, and have left the unconditional love they felt with their mothers. She sees it as her place to offer them a transition into a new environment, one they can feel safe in. “When a child comes to Marang House, I am the only one they know. I am the one who has to protect them.”

Also read: Marang House says thank you

The home relies solely on donations from the community, with a portion of these donated funds going towards such aspects as their all important bakkie, which, in instances of medical emergency, rushes children off to either Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital or Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospitals, especially if they receive a call in the middle of the night that a kidney is available for them.

The organisation also prefers the donation of travel sized toiletries, as these more efficiently help when packing for the hospital quickly.

Among the many donations the home will always be appreciative of, the biggest is that of your time. You’ll find that walking into Marang House, you will not only be greeted with the warm embrace of Parkies, or the fragrant aromas of a home cooked meal on the stove, you will also be lovingly greeted by the inquisitive little minds who call this organisation home. Those who, after spending most their days walking the cold corridors of a hospital, would love to spend an hour or two getting to know you, while walking through the home’s garden.

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