The gift of clothing thanks to the Big Favour
For the past 86 years, St Theresa‘s Children‘s Home - now run by Debbie Bowes and her team, have provided accommodation and care for orphaned and vulnerable children between the ages of three and 18 years.
These children come from poor communities across the province of KZN. Little cottages provides an atmosphere where the children feel part of a family unit.
Children are admitted by referral from the Department of Child Welfare into the care of the Home based on the unfortunate fact of them being orphans, either because they’ve been neglected, abused, abandoned, or they’re suffering from chronic illness and/or behavioral problems. It could also be a combination of any of these.
At least 20% of the children in care at the Home have experienced the death of parents and significant others to AIDS-related conditions prior to admission. A further 5% experience the death of a parent or significant other whilst residing at the Home.
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The Home admits boys suffering from chronic illnesses that require special medical and psycho-social care. These illnesses include HIV and AIDS, diabetes, asthma, TB, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, gastro-intestinal disorders, and mild to moderate mental disorders.
St Theresa’s Home also works in association with St Thomas Home for Children (5 Williamson Place - off Mary Road) in Sydenham. Tel: 0312073223 as well as St, Philomena’s Childrens’ Home (92 Rippon Road, Sydenham. Tel 061 086 5943)
Children in these homes have few clothes but were given an outfit each at Christmas so they could attend church.
When they come home from school in the afternoon, it’s considered a luxury if they have a pair of shorts or nice T-shirt to put on.
When I called Sandro Avellini, the owner of Hunter Athletic (079 883 0573), he jumped on board without a second thought and offered to assist the children.
Being a dad himself, he couldn’t imagine children not having a nice T-shirt, a pair of shorts or a vest to wear.
A massive thank you to Sandro for donating about R10,000 worth of assorted clothing for the girls and boys at the three homes!
Listen to the Big Favour here and hear how happy Debbie was when she found out the news…
She just couldn’t wait to take the clothing to the kids.
Would you like to help the children of St Theresa’s / St Thomas and St Philomena’s?
Please phone 031 209 2166 and chat to Debbie for more details.
