After receiving an email from an unknown recipient that Ethelbert Children’s home was in need of support, Hirsch Hillcrest’s PRO Sarah Brauns phoned the home to find out whether the email received was legitimate or not.
“It turned out it was genuine,” said Sarah. “When I spoke to the PRO/Fundraiser Nomfunda Moeli, it was clear that they were happy with any donation that people were prepared to give. I contacted Waterfall Spar and spoke with Shaun Quinn who didn’t hesitate to help out, supplying us with maize meal, rice, sugar, canned food, toilet paper, cereal and a whole lot more.”
Ethelbert Children’s Home is based in Malvern, Queensburgh and consists of six cottages, each with two residing Child Care Workers and a maximum of 12 children. Boys and girls are placed in separate cottages, with children under five finding a home in the toddler cottage. Ethelbert Children’s Home can care for a maximum of 65 children, though this number often differs due to the placement of children with rehabilitated parents or foster/adoptive parents.
“In addition to supporting the families of the children in our care, Ethelbert Children’s Home takes a proactive approach in dealing with the severe breakdown in family and community values and the increasing number of poverty-stricken families entering the social welfare system,” said Nomfundo. “Our work involves a one-stop counselling and referral service, assisting parents to adequately care for and protect their children, building the capacity of women and youth and supporting adults and youth overcome abuse, find work and apply for social grants.”
“Ethelbert really relies on donations such as this to enable the staff to do the amazing work that they do. It is a home from home for the children, who receive help with homework and school projects. The Home’s aim is not just to help with their physical needs but to also help their spiritual healing during their time at the home,” Nomfundo told us.
To find out more about Ethelbert Children’s Home, visit www.ethelbert.co.za
For more on Hirsch’s, visit www.hirschs.co.za