Please play ‘Secret Santa’ to a child like Mia

Sometimes it’s difficult for our kids to stay positive and upbeat. Mia, especially, has been having a hard time lately. She seems depressed and irritable, with no interest in food, school or activities she used to enjoy.

Like most of the children here, she hasn’t had an easy life. She was only 2 years old when her mother died. And she was removed from her father’s care not long afterwards, following allegations of neglect and alcohol abuse.

At the baby home, she was seen by a doctor and diagnosed with TB and HIV. Several years later, she developed glaucoma. By 2022 she was completely blind. Even though she uses a braille machine at school, she has fallen behind her classmates, and often feels frustrated and inadequate.

But, Mia absolutely loves music. Some of her happiest moments are when she sings with the school choir.

We’d love to surprise her on Christmas morning with a gift of headphones, so she can escape into her world of music whenever she needs to.

 

But with 74 boys and girls to ‘surprise’ on Christmas morning, we can’t do it without help. Please will you play Secret Santa, by making a donation of any amount to bring a little joy and excitement into their lives?

Cash donations are best, so we can avoid duplication of gifts and make sure that everyone gets their fair share. Or you may prefer to donate towards a special Christmas meal or a holiday outing to the beach or cinema.

For example:

• Your gift of R1 000 goes a long way towards a special gift like headphones or a child’s bike.
• R400 pays for a group of ten kids to go to the movies.
• R260 buys a pair of pink ‘light up’ shoes for a little girl.
• R150 buys a 5l tub of ice cream.

Any amount given from the heart helps make the festive season special for children who won’t be going home for the holidays.

And may you find your own joy playing ‘Santa’ to a child who has known abuse, neglect and deprivation in the past. Thank you, and may God bless you.