Adopt-A-Home Big Reveal
James 2:14-17 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
This year our outreach project which formed part of our Month of May D4J campaign was to refurbish one of the girls’ houses at the Durbanville Children’s Home. We wanted to turn the house into a home.
There were four bedrooms, as well as a living area, that were looking rather tired and worn. New paint was called for and there were cupboard and bedroom doors that needed maintenance, as well as other elements that needed fixing.
MAKING IT HAPPEN
The first step was calling for donors, without which this project couldn’t begin. Next was the project coordination and building a team of volunteers and then finally came all the hard work. (Thank you to everyone who played a role).
One of the first men to sign up when the project was launched said, “I don’t know why I am signing up but I just know I must.” He then encouraged another friend at ESCC to join, who in turn secured R6000 worth of hardware products sponsored from Sprio’s for the project. He also organised discounts from Brights on all the other needed items. They then encouraged more of their skilled and experienced friends to join. These men did all the hard muscle work, and also all the skilled handyman and carpentry work that was required.
There were also a bunch of women who dedicated hours to cleaning, fixing and painting, as well as the shopping team who went out to purchase everything needed. It took teamwork and unity to get this project done, and it was done with great dedication and a heart for the children.
THE BIG REVEAL
The girls, who had been sleeping in other houses during the renovations, were not allowed to peek at the work in progress. They were so excited for the big reveal at 5pm on Wednesday 29 May. They got dressed up for the occasion and waited patiently as all the volunteers gathered and Susan Bohler shared a little of the heart behind the transformation.
The children were so eager to see their new beds and things. Below are some of their reactions:
One of the young teenage girls started crying when she walked into her room, tears of joy streaming down her face as she smiled from ear to ear.
An eight-year-old was totally in awe of the new fluffy cushion on her bed. She could hardly believe that it was hers and kept stroking the soft material.
One five-year-old spotted her new bed and was so proud of it. Another five-year-old stood on one of the ottomans in the lounge and counted the petals on a flower on the mural – savouring and enjoying the beauty of the living area.
The volunteers took the girls through their rooms and explained how to keep everything neat and organised by using the hooks for their towels, toothbrush holders and other items. They were all delighted.
The Children’s Home director, Johanna Strauss, acknowledged the gift of giving these girls new things that they can call their own. The children appreciate all the second hand goodies that they receive, however, it was novel to receive new items. “Each child got something unique and different to what the other girls have – a separate colour towel set, a different cushion etc”. This helps the children feel special and acknowledged among the group of girls.
