Christmas comes early for St Nicholas Home

Students from the University of Johannesburg Community Engagement offered their time to do something positive and constructive for the St Nicholas Home. The non-government organisation had their walls given a much-needed coat of paint.

Volunteer Itumeleng Mzimba said the initial project to paint the house began last year but they struggled to find funding to sponsor the project. “This year we managed to get a paint store in Melville to assist us,” said Mzimba.

“The objective is to get the home in a lively living condition for the children and to create an environment they can be proud of and live in. I think it is important to care for the less fortunate and show the children that other people also care about them. It also feels good to do something positive for other people,” he said.

Top Paints’ Francois Burger was there to supervise how the students. He said that they are very involved in the community where they operate. “The students painted the inside for today. We plan on coming back on a different day to do the outside, which also depends on the weather. I think the students did a great job inside,” said Burger.

The home currently has 17 girls and boys between the ages of three and 19. They are cared for by volunteers who help with the daily running of the home. A house mother supervises the home.

St Nicholas team administrator, Sandra Julius, said the home looks great and that it makes a huge difference. She added that the home looks brighter and cleaner.

“I would like to thank the UJ students and the sponsor for making such a big difference in the children’s lives. I will definitely encourage the [children] to look after the painted walls,” concluded Julius.

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