The festive season is around the corner and Western Cape non-profit organisation, Mustadafin Foundation is calling on the community to help put a smile on children’s faces by donating gifts to the less fortunate. The Foundation plans on making the festive season holidays a memorable one by providing age-appropriate gifts to 1000 children, between the ages of one and 18 years old, who are part of their Isibindi Child Care Programme in Tafelsig.

“Many of the children we work with in Tafelsig will not receive a gift this year. It is an area in Cape Town that is ravaged by poverty, crime, alcohol abuse, drugs and gangsterism. We are calling on corporates and individuals to sponsor gifts to brighten up the lives of these children,” says Ghairunisa Johnstone, Director of Mustadafin Foundation.

The Tafelsig Isibindi Child Care Programme is one of more than 300 programmes running nationwide which enables poorly resourced communities to develop effective protection services for children. During the school holidays children are often left unattended and at high risk of joining gangs, being caught in violence or suffer abuse. Volunteer care workers, trained through the Isibindi Programme, provide adult supervision and structured activities in designated areas; they are prepared to identify and refer any possible signs of child abuse.

“Since we started this project in August last year, it has been tremendously successful,” says Johnstone. “During this year, 16 children on the programme were accepted in schools in the Mitchells Plain area. We are thrilled that an additional 16 have been accepted to start school at Khanya College in Mitchells Plain next year with reduced fees. We are looking for sponsors who would like to join us in paying R200 a month for these school fees.”

To find out more about how you can help, contact the Mustadafin Foundation. “There is no greater reward than to give back to those who are deserving; let’s help these children have a joyous holiday period,” concludes Johnstone.

Please contact Mustadafin Foundation on 021-633-0010 or visit www.mustadafin.org.za. Join their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MustadafinFoundation