The Mandela Day outpouring of love just keeps rolling in with waves of kindness, compassion and compliments that has us all choked up and sharing the love with our team. You’ve seen the pictures, heard the stories… so now it’s time to watch the movie! This is a ‘Throwback Thursday’ moment and will boost your mood to – be HAPPY! (See video below)
What we loved most about our MD2024 event, is that our rally cry was heard. We asked that folk focus on non-perishable donations to sustain our ECD Centres with as many dry goods and essentials to keep them going for as long as possible.
If this fiercely cold winter is having us all huddle around heaters, it does not take a lot for you to imagine how bad it is out in our poorest communities. Flooding followed by this extremely cold weather is leaving thousands of small children across the Cape Peninsula and inland shivering with chattering teeth.
Earl Kruger, one of our team members was in field this week chatting to Woman Warrior Monica Abrahams, who is an ECD Owner with a centre in Fisantekraal. He learnt that she would ordinarily have electricity, but not only is she battling rain and damp damage, but her electricity cables were stolen by criminals. It is a nightmare for her as the children arrive from 06h30 in the morning and the carers are having to use torches and candles to light up the centre.
Yet in the face of adversity, the teachers found a beautiful way to stay together and keep warm. They form a ‘morning circle’ where they sing, dance, clap their hands and once they are happy and warm, they tuck into a hot, healthy bowl of oats. With Ladles of Love providing a consistent weekly supply of oats, loads of vegetables, essential foods and nutrient-rich ingredients like pilchards. The wholesome meals are a game-changer.
Monica’s story represents just one of the challenges faced by our Women Warriors daily, which is why we are committed to our Women’s Day ‘Care for the Carers’ campaign. For R200 we can treat a woman to a ‘Wellness Workshop Luncheon’ in recognition of the extraordinary work they are doing to raise our country’s marginalised children.
Keep well and warm and always know, YOU are appreciated in the biggest way.
Thank YOU from us all, and we wish you ALL an awesome August. ♥️
From Danny and The Ladles of Love Team
