Community helps Janelle Huis to give former child slave a birthday party
Community’s response was overwhelming.
EVANDER – A little boy who does not know his own birth date or age, was overwhelmed by his very own special birthday party at Janelle Huis in Evander on Saturday, 16 June.
Donations of party gifts, treats and cakes from community members, as well as a flood of visitors eventually became too much for his young mind to fathom.
Every once in a while, he would just rest on the couch with his eyes closed.
According to Ms Estelle Coetzer, founder of Janelle Huis, this boy was recently placed in their care after being saved from a life as a child slave.
He does not know how old he is or where he comes from, and cannot read or write.
He was possibly trafficked from Mozambique to work as a slave in a household in Badplaas where he was responsible for all the household chores.
“He was also regularly beaten with a broom,” Ms Coetzer said.
A local doctor estimated the child to be about 10 years old.
Ms Coetzer decided to throw him his very first birthday party on 16 June.
The newspaper asked the community to help with a gift, entertainment and cake for this day.
“The response was incredible. One woman donated her last R30.
“Another baked a special soccer themed cake and Secunda Toyota gave gift bags to all the children in the house.
“There are so many people with open hands and hearts.
“We want to thank everyone. Everyone of us was blessed.”
Evander’s fire brigade invited the kids for a visit to the fire station that morning.
Messrs Bongile Sixhanti (Cikozayo RTee), and Banana Mahlangu from Running Hearts also brought cake and spent time playing with the little ones.
