January 1, 2005
A Christmas to Remember

On Saturday, December 18, 2004 ABSA Bank hosted a Christmas party for 28 AIDS orphans who are under the care of Doctors for Life International (DFL). The orphans are from 3 DFL centers and are located at Schoemansdal, Swaziland, and Steenbock.

Phinda, Mbongiseni, Moses and Dennis enjoying the food.

The Malelane and Komatipoort branches of ABSA offered to throw a Christmas party for the children following in the footsteps of other local businesses such as Supervleis who have been supporting the orphans with donations of food for some time already.

Moses & Siyabonga will have fun with their new toys!

The staff of ABSA Bank formed a group named Sizanani (We care) and designated a special account to raise funds for the orphans. This initiative was inspired by the death of one of their colleagues from AIDS. The staff felt the need to reach out to the members of the community who are affected with this disease. According to the staff members, they will be looking into more ways to help in the future.

The Malelane group singing to their hosts.

The Christmas party was held in a residential home in Hectorspruit and entailed food, fun and games, as well as a presentation of Christmas presents to the children. One of the orphans once commented to a staff member at DFL that “Christmas is just like any other day”. ABSA Bank provided these children with a memorable Christmas, giving them the opportunity to share in the joys experienced by more fortunate children at Christmas time.

Thabiso entertaining with his little, pink guitar.

ABSA workers having fun with the kids.

Mrs. Ndlela happy to see children enjoying themselves with Father Christmas.

Kids having fun on "Jumping Castle".

Dennis enjoying himself.

Johan (from DFL) wishing he were a child again.

Doctors for Life International represents more than 1000 medical doctors and specialists, three-quarters of who practice in South Africa. DFL was founded as a South African organization in 1991 and has spread across the globe. DFL is involved in several community projects including orphan care, the care of terminal AIDS patients, malaria prevention and the care of abused women.