What a blessing a birthday can be
These children each have a story of how they ended up in the orphanage, with painful memories and situations they are healing from in the orphanage
The daily struggles of people in our community were only the beginning of a great ‘party’ for two women of eMalahleni as they took the initiative to start something out of the ordinary for the less fortunate.
When a crime fighter and a pastor both with a great love for their community come together, greatness is bound to happen.
This was the case when Maureen Scheepers, Operations Co-ordinator for the South African Community Crime Watch (SACCW) and Pastor Nadine van Schalkwyk from Lewende Woord Witbank came together and formed a personal project, ‘The Birthday Blessers’.
After Nadine read a story in WITBANK NEWS about a mother of two struggling to make ends meet and mentioned that both her children’s birthdays were around the corner… This made her brainstorm and she reached out to Maureen to help with planning.
“The children had their birthdays two days apart, so we decided to bless them with a small surprise party and the community immediately jumped in and helped us with presents and two beautiful cakes for them,” said Nadine.
Without knowing what they were doing for the community they met another lady at the surprise birthday party.
“On the day, we met Sonto Nyembezi who has an orphanage in eMalahleni and she told us about the children there and that funds and donations they receive are used to maintain the kids and that birthday parties and gifts are not possible. We then obtained a list from the orphanage and have been hosting birthday parties for the kids from that orphanage since,” Maureen added.
These two ladies only want to see smiles on those faces of children when they barge in there with a surprise.
These children each have a story of how they ended up in the orphanage, with painful memories and situations they are healing from in the orphanage.
“We would just like to remind them once a year on their birthday that they are special and so loved. Every child deserves to be spoiled on their birthday, especially orphans,” the birthday blessers added.
As it is, these two ladies have about 30 parties on their to-do-list for this year still and would dearly appreciate any form of contribution from the community; cakes, presents or even old party accessories laying around can make a child’s year.
“This project is very dear to my heart, to see those little eyes sparkle when we walk in with cakes and gifts are the most satisfying feeling I’ve ever felt. With every party we spend the day with the kids, play with them and give them one-on-one attention. We would like anyone willing to assist us to make each party a magical experience to reach out to us. If you can bake a cake or donate a new toy or even party favours, please contact me or Nadine for further arrangements,” Maureen added.
As eMalahleni is known for their kind hearts, this project will bring such joy as these ladies are trying to make wishes come true, one birthday at a time.
“The smiles, the dancing, the hugs, the appreciation is priceless, it will bring tears to anyone’s eyes as it does to me, every time!” Nadine concluded.
Nadine can be contacted on 082 332 4105 and Maureen on 082 565 6770.
