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IOL News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Joy, hope and life lessons at Mandela Day camp at The Mercury Children's Holiday Home
Independent Newspapers CSI manager Sameera Kareem, centre, Nishi Naidoo, manager of The Mercury Hibberdene Children's Holiday Home celebrate Mandela Day with some of the children who attended a two-day camp. Picture: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers Image: Doctor Ngcobo Independent Newspapers CHILDREN from a church group were given a life-changing experience when they spent two nights at The Mercury Hibberdene Children's Holiday Home as part of this year's Mandela Day celebrations. Sherlock Sithole, who facilitates life skills at the home, said the initiative was more than just a holiday camp. 'I plan programmes for visiting children's schools, churches or orphanages. We provide activities and recreational programmes that will help them deal with challenges, but also to be entertained and sensitised, given the fact that all children have different challenges, but each one of them is able in a different way,' he said. Sithole said the holiday home hosts three free camps a year during the Easter, winter and December holidays. 'Today we were hosting a group from Mthwalume and Pietermaritzburg. It was a wonderful experience just to give these children a pleasant holiday experience and also to speak to them about the significance of Mandela Day,' he said. Sameera Kareem, Independent Media's CSI manager, said: 'What an unforgettable time we had at The Mercury Hibberdene Children's Holiday Home! We were thrilled to sponsor and host the incredible youth group from I Am Church for a two-night stay packed with fun, laughter and heartfelt moments. As part of our Mandela Day celebrations, we rolled out a jam-packed day of activities. 'We also took time to reflect on the true spirit of Mandela Day, engaging in meaningful conversations with the kids about kindness, giving back and the legacy of Madiba himself. 'A huge shoutout goes to our fantastic donors and sponsors; your generosity made this all possible. Special thanks to Polar Ice Cream for the cool treats that lit up everyone's faces and to Baking Pan for the scrumptious cake that was the cherry on top of an amazing day.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Children from a church group were given a life-changing experience when they spent two nights at The Mercury Hibberdene Children's Holiday Home as part of this year's Mandela Day celebrations. Image: Doctor Ngcobo Independent Newspapers Kevin Chetty, a pastor from the International Association of Missions, which brought the group of children from Pietermaritzburg, said working with young people had always been at the centre of their ministry. Chetty said the opportunity to partner with the holiday home was 'about changing destinies'. 'A young boy told me yesterday, I was talking to him while he was in the pool and he said it was the first time he had jumped into a swimming pool. He's six years old. That just blessed my heart,' he said. 'We're changing destinies, adding atmosphere, experiences and dreams. Later on, they must not look at someone else and think, 'I don't deserve that.' They must feel they do.' Chetty said initiatives like these must continue beyond Mandela Day. 'We have too many people complaining. It doesn't take anything to take one step forward. A house is built one brick at a time. If we can change one child's destiny at a time, we don't know... that one child could be the next rocket scientist.' Pastor Judith Chetty said she was moved to see children being treated with such care and dignity by The Mercury Hibberdene Children's Holiday Home staff. 'It is everything they could ever dream of and we're not doing it, we're watching it get done,' she said. 'I lift my hat for the love and dedication they have. Every activity had a life skill, how to believe in themselves (and) how to stand up for themselves. Everything here has been like that.' THE MERCURY
IOL News
2 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Celebrating Mandela Day at Ingane Yami Children's Village
DOING IT FOR MADIBA: Sameera Kareem (CSI Manager & Project Coordinator) Sushie Munsamy (CSI Assistant) Tracy Meeske (Village Manager) with children from the Ingane Yami Children's Village in Shongweni, a recipient of the Daily News Milk Fund's ongoing milk and porridge distribution initiative Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo/Independent Media In the spirit of Nelson Mandela's enduring legacy, The Daily News Milk Fund spent Mandela Day at a place that reflected the very heart of his vision, Ingane Yami Children's Village. Nestled in the lush Shongweni Valley, Ingane Yami – meaning 'My Child' in isiZulu, is not just a children's home, but a permanent, loving village for orphaned and vulnerable children. The village consists of individual homes, each led by a dedicated foster mother who cares for six children, creating a nurturing family environment where dignity, healing, and hope are restored. This Mandela Day, The Daily News Milk Fund chose to spend our 67 minutes by visiting this inspiring village, which is also proudly one of the beneficiaries on our ongoing milk and porridge distribution list. As part of the day's visit, we were honoured to donate essential food items such as rice and sugar, small tokens that we hope will go a long way in their daily lives. We were also thrilled to treat the children to ice cream, kindly sponsored by *Polar Ice Cream*, whose generosity brought wide smiles to little faces. To make the day even more memorable, each child received a goodie bag filled with treats and love; a small gesture to remind them just how cherished they are. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Ingane Yami is more than just a shelter – it is a thriving, growing village built on a dream that took shape in 2009. It began as a vision in the hearts of Yvonne and Roger Greig, former senior pastors of Open Skies Church, who felt called to respond to the devastating effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and poverty within KwaZulu-Natal. That dream is now a reality, with seven operational homes, an on-site school, social workers, a community hall, sports fields, and a resource centre in development. During our visit, we could feel the buzz of excitement as the children prepared for an upcoming corporate soccer tournament. Here, children were not merely cared for, they are empowered, educated, and uplifted. As we continue our work at The Daily News Milk Fund, it is organisations like Ingane Yami that remind us why we do what we do. Their vision to eventually grow to 25 homes and care for 150 children is a bold and beautiful goal, one that deserves community support and celebration. Mandela once said, 'There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.' On this past Mandela Day, we were privileged to witness a village that treats its children with the utmost care, compassion, and love – every single day. To support The Daily News Milk Fund or contribute to future visits like this, please get in touch with our team on 031 3082437 DAILY NEWS
