Knitted blankets bring warmth to Ikholwa
As temperatures continue to drop in Gauteng, this donation couldn’t have come at a better time and the team hopes this initiative will inspire others to continue spreading kindness and compassion.
In the spirit of Nelson Mandela’s legacy of compassion and service, the 67 minutes Nelson Mandela team brought warmth and hope to the children of Ikholwa Hope for Our Children’s Home on June 10.
The team delivered 40 blankets to the home.
The colourful blankets were created by the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day KnitWits, a dedicated group of volunteers who came together to craft what became part of the Hugest Blanket in the World, officially unveiled in March. After the beautiful display, the blankets were carefully collected and distributed to those in need, and Ikholwa was one of the grateful recipients.
Although the children were at school during the delivery, the staff at Ikholwa received the donation on their behalf and expressed deep appreciation for the thoughtful gesture.
“We’re very excited about the blankets. These will go to very good use, the children will be very happy in their blankets while watching TV,” said Ikholwa’s general manager, Louise Barry-Taylor.
Ikholwa, an IsiZulu word which means ‘believer’, is a registered non-profit organisation that provides care for abandoned, orphaned, abused, and otherwise vulnerable babies and children.
The home has children aged four to 16 years and two houses, one for girls and one for boys. According to Louise, they are currently taking care of 16 children, with each house having eight occupants.
“Our houses are run on a de facto family basis. We have a housemother and a house assistant who build relationships with the children, and our mission is to give hope to the children who come into our care,” she explains.
Michelle Burton from the 67 Blankets shares that they chose the charities that received and are still to receive blankets through the help of Denise Antunes, a local woman who helps out charities around the area.
As Nelson Mandela once said, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than how it treats its children.”
Through this donation, the children have not only received physical warmth, but each one of them has been wrapped in a symbol of care, solidarity, and hope.
In addition to daily care, the organisation requires support with building maintenance, plumbing, and other essential services.
“We’ve been going for 22 years, and both houses are ageing, and it’s showing. With the recent rains, we had a flood in one of the houses, sewage went in that same house, and now we’ve got a burst pipe,” Louise said, citing that it would be amazing if they could get someone who knows and understands maintenance to help them resolve these issues.
Those who wish to support the home with donations or services can reach out to Louise at 072 608 7928 or via email at info@ikholwa.com.
