POLOKWANE – Christmas is a time where families get together and have fun. Unfortunately there are jobs that require that their staff work on this day.

These include nurses, paramedics, those in the media industry and petrol attendees.

Another one that is often overlooked are the care-takers and cooks at institutions like welfare organisations.

At Ngwana Baby House there are 27 children ranging from newborns to two-year-olds that need full time care.

Read more: Ngwana house personnel really have a warm heart

This means that some of the care-takers have to work on Christmas Day, leaving their own family to celebrate on their own.

One such carer is Clivey Hendriks. This mother of two boys will work on Christmas day, looking after orphaned babies and leaving her own two children at home.

“I have been working at Ngwana House for almost two years now. Last year I worked on New Years Day, so this year it is my turn to work on Christmas.”

Clivey says her oldest, Bradley, understands that she needs to work on special family days. “I explain to him that I need to to be a mother for babies who do not have mothers and that i will join them later in the day,” she told the Polokwane-Review Observer.

At Ngwana House the staff try to share the holiday spirit with the young ones by decorating the house in Christmas lights, and giving them special food. There are three groups of nine children with a carer with them at all times.

When Clivey returns home, Bradley knows there will be a treat and special time with his mom.

“We spend time together by playing games around the Christmas tree with the rest of the family and handing out presents. Later, when the sun has set, we cuddle up in bed together, eating all of his favourite snacks and watching his favourite movies.”