Seventy excited children enjoyed a year end party at the Rock of Hope Crèche in the Shongweni valley on Friday 1 December 2017.
Marriott has been assisting the crèche since they moved their office to Hillcrest in 2009. Apart from funding a building upgrade a few years ago, contributions from the regular Friday staff collections at Marriott go to the crèche for general supplies. Each month Marriott staff take cake and fruit to the crèche to celebrate the children’s birthdays. The year-end party however is the highlight of the year.
“There was major excitement when the Marriott team arrived for the party. The children were all standing near the gate, waving, with massive grins on their faces” said Kim Reinhardt of Marriott.
Clowns R Us (a Christian non-profit organisation) provided entertainment for the children, playing games and dancing. Before presents were handed out, Father Christmas’ elf led a sing-a-long with the children – their loud voices rang out over the valley causing quite a stir in the neighbourhood with residents coming to look and see what was happening.
The children were treated to sweets, biscuits, cool drinks and chips and then later enjoyed a meal. Father Christmas called each child up to receive a gift.
Principal, Mrs Theresa Maduna, said the children always look forward to Marriott staff visits and the year-end party is the highlight of their year.