Fikelela Child and Youth Centre got a shot in the arm when they received clothes and bags from Masisebenzisane Workshop on Sunday 5 February.
Fikelela, which is based in Makhaya, is home to scores of abandoned children and needs public support.
And their prayers were answered on Sunday, however, the supervisor at the centre Zukiswa Wambu is asking for more.
According to Wambu, they look after abandoned and neglected children from various parts of the province. A total of 37 children between the ages of zero and 10 are currently staying at the home.
“The youngest child here is three months. Almost all of them are brought here by social workers. We are also working with the City’s Department of Social Development. It is the one that is referring children here,” she said, stating that other children arrive with no names.
Wambu said they are thrilled by the donation and the clothes will make a big difference.
“We need support from the community. Most of the children here are struggling a lot and they need support. To us, these clothes mean a lot. We appreciate them. We thank the young children for their effort,” said Wambu, and appealed to the community to support the centre.
The founder of Masisebenzisane Onika Matshingana (17) described the event as part of giving back to the community.
Masisebenzisane is a non governmental organisation that works with young people to educate them about various social problems that could impact their lives. Matshingana said instead of folding their arms, they decided to collect clothes for needy children.
Matshingana, the City of Cape Town’s Junior Councillor from Khayelitsha, praised his friends for their support of the initiative.
“In the City council we are tasked to do something that will benefit our communities. I thought of Fikelela. I brainstormed the concept with my friends who helped me to get donations from the public. We even asked people on social media for clothes for donations,” he explained.
Matshingana said they aim to bring change in the communities.