July 13 , 2005
Beds, blankets and towels equals smiles, smiles and smiles...

Transporting the donations

On the 26th of May 2005, the joy of the children at the Schoemansdal Centre came as result of months of hard work by two ABSA bank branches, Malelane and Komatipoort. Since DFL's first contact with them in December 2004, they have been silently working on fundraising efforts in order to provide bedding to this DFL centre. The fundraising included a egg-breaking event where people from the public could smash an egg on either of the two bank managers.


The towels, bedding and clothing being sorted

With previous visits to the centre by the teams from ABSA, they took note of specific needs where DFL lacked in resources and funds, and so the two branches filled this gap in a wonderful way. They successfully managed to raise enough funds to purchase some 20 beds, complete with pillows and mattresses. With the help of some other local businesses they also got blankets, decorations, bed linen, clothing and enough, serviettes and towels which will be used at a few other DFL Day Care Centres as well.


After hanging the curtains and making the beds the rooms looked amazing

Early the morning on the 25th of May, soon after the children at the centre left for school, Mrs. Ingrid Kitshoff and her dedicated team from ABSA Malelane as well as the branch manager from Komatipoort and his team, arrived at the centre. The started with putting up curtains and railings and with the help of donated transport, the 20 beds were delivered and being fitted with sheets, blankets and pillows. Due to the enormous cost of linking ESKOM electricity to this centre (approximately R25000), ABSA also provided lanterns in all the rooms which they themselves put up. To ad to this, some of their individual clients got involved as well. One couple who attended the function knit special head muffs for all the children who faced the uncoming winter!

Mrs. Ingrid Kitshoff (bank manager of ABSA Malelane) and Mrs Abigail Ndlela, caretaker of the orphans at the centre

Before the kids could return from school, the surprise was set: Each kid had a neatly made bed, complete with , hand and bath towel, extra set of clean bed linen and, in true guest house style, a sweet on the pillow! The feminine touch of the ladies at ABSA teams ensured that beautiful new curtains matched the recently done mural art work by Neal Parrow, volunteer from the USA , transforming the previously empty rooms into lively 'bedrooms'. Many of the children at this centre has never slept on a bed since their birth. After moving into the newly built centre of DFL in February 2005, they were still sleeping on the floor with a mere blanket!

Dr. M Thindisa thanking them on behalf of DFL

The regional manager of ABSA, Mr. Edwin Mkhabele joined the Nelspruit branch manager, ABSA staff members, clients and a team from DFL headquarters at this momentous day. Dr. Moses Thindisa, executive member of DFL also arrived early the afternoon, as everybody waited for the children to arrive back from school, completely unaware of these donations.

The children with their caretaker, executive member of DFL,
ABSA representatives and a representative of the local
Tribal chief an the far right

The kids first reaction was a bit shocked and possibly even overwhelmed by the large number of people who filled their centre. After a brief introduction of the people present, still unaware of surprise awaiting them, they were led into their respective rooms; boys to the left and girls to the right. The reaction was a mixture of stunned silence, tears, laughter, shouting, clapping and singing. It was shared with the overflowing joy from the staff of ABSA, DFL and volunteers who again experienced the principle: it is better to give than to receive.

As the representatives of DFL and ABSA left later that afternoon, the anticipation built up to a climax as each one of the children waited to test these beds out! In the past the procedure of getting into bed could take considerable time as blankets first had to be rolled out on the cement floor etc. However, that evening we were told that bed time was earlier than normal, as the children eagerly made their way to their bedrooms. Whether they actually fell asleep that quickly, we don't know... (article follows below images)

The boy's room. The boys started relaxing on their new beds as they each chose a spot


The bank manager of Komatipoort, Chris, is seen here with Tsidiso who entertained the group with song

The girl's room

A few weeks later ABSA linked us up with a construction company who donated enough toilets, showers, basins and pipes to finsh the boy's and girl's bathrooms at the centre.

Due to the enormous AIDS pandemic in South Africa, the need for orphanages is overwhelming. South Africa is at the brink of a disaster as thousand and thousand of orphans are left behind. With nutrition and health being the most important physical need we can provide, DFL often find themselves in a situation where we wish we could do more. Thank to the help of organisations, companies and individuals like the employees of ABSA we can and with each donation like this, however small or great, DFL is able to help more children. Thank you very much for all who those, especialy those working behind the scens, who helped with making these donations possible!

Mrs Ingrid Kitshoff and people of a local company who helped

The transport (above) of the beds and matrasses were also sponsored.

The ABSA team who attended the day

One of the boys enjoy his new bed.

Nelspruit's bank manager peeps through the window in the boy's room

The kids with their new woven head muffs. The donation came from the lady standing on the right

The GM of ABSA, Mr. Edwin Mkhabele

The hand over of donations included some refreshments afterwards to the children


Here Mr and Mrs Kitshoff are cutting the cake

For more information visit the Life-Child web-page