Able Stitch donates personalised hoodies to Eldorado Park children
Able Stitch NPC donated 46 personalised hoodies to vulnerable children at Eldorado Park’s Elton John Masibambisane Community Centre, aiming to expand its winter outreach while empowering local communities.
The Able Stitch NPC concluded the Warm 1 000 Children winter outreach on 35 Amerits Street, Eldorado Park, where they donated 46 hoodies to beneficiaries of the Joburg Child Welfare Centre’s Elton John Masibambisane Community Centre on 8 August.
The beneficiaries, orphans and children from disadvantaged families, each received a hoodie with their name on it.
Although Able Stitch did not achieve its goal of assisting 1,000 children, it recognised the numerous challenges faced by many township communities.
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These lessons, along with first-hand experience, will help the NPD prepare and establish partnerships for the next winter outreach.
Lizzy Strydom, the NPC’s managing director, said it was established to create a double impact by upskilling vulnerable and unemployed individuals with sewing skills, which would help them find jobs or start businesses, while also providing warmth to needy children during winter.
Her four-year-old daughter’s suggestion to make clothes for orphans during an executive meeting inspired her decision.
Although they reached 500 children instead of the initial goal, Strydom said the two-month-old NPC gained valuable experience and built strong partnerships that will help them expand the project to more cities next year.
Nare Manamela, the manager of the Elton John Masibambisane Community Centre, said the donation was an unexpected but welcome surprise.
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“We applied for assistance months ago and had almost given up hope, as many promises made to organisations like ours are never fulfilled.
“When we received confirmation that our centre had been selected, the excitement among the staff and the children was overwhelming,” she said.
The centre works with orphans and vulnerable children, many from households surviving on child support grants, which are often stopped.
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“This was our first winter donation, and it made a huge difference. These hoodies mean the children will be warmer, more comfortable and able to concentrate better in class.
“It shows that there are still people who recognise the work we do and our impact on our community.”
To donate to Able Stitch, email stitch@ablespot.co.za or call 084 616 6330.
