29 November 2009
You have been amazing! So far R17 750 has been donated to the Light Relief Children’s Project where the aim is to make a difference this Christmas to the lives of 63 children at Bethany House.
The team at DWR Distribution have been bowled over by the support and really can’t thank you enough! Should any of our sponsors require a donations certificate, kindly e-mail [email protected].
In October when the project was initially decided upon, we visited Bethany House. What really stood out was the way it was run. Gert Jonker and his team are not just there to provide a place to sleep and eat, but rather to raise up children who will have the confidence to fly.
Carine Knouwds, who handles the marketing at Bethany, gave us a tour and shared stories along the way. She spoke openly and we got the heart of the matter. Just a few weeks prior, she told us, one of the children’s homes in Krugersdorp closed its doors and the children were transferred to Bethany House. When a social worker from Bethany found out that a certain young girl from the previous home was attending a school dance, she brought it to Gert Jonker’s attention. He in turn said, “Right, bring the girl” and taking a social worker along with him, they were off… shopping!
The young girl tried on several dresses to get just the right one and then Gert insisted that the dress would only be complete with a pair of new shoes and a handbag. A humble Gert would probably not like this story to be mentioned, but we are trying to convey that Bethany House provide a home where kids have a loving environment, are given dignity and where they can have dreams that can turn into reality.
There is seven year old Luke who has asked for a generator for Christmas. His explanation is that he wants his own light at night when it’s “Light’s off” at bedtime! In another case though, Carine speaks of a little girl who was having a birthday and all she wanted was a Baby Born doll. If you have a daughter you’ll know the type of doll and that they cost R500. For Bethany House, it really is something they currently can’t afford because if you give to one, you have to give to the next child and there are other needs to be met. That includes a new project of providing a shelter for street children in down town Krugersdorp.
Still, at DWR Distribution we remember being little and the pure excitement and special memories of Christmas. We know it’s not about the gifts, but for children, there’s nothing like having a surprise and every child should have these beautiful moments. The heartbreaking thing is that the children from Bethany House have experienced abuse or neglect though no fault of their own, when they should have been loved and nurtured.
Bethany House is situated close to Monument Primary School in Krugersdorp. What initially started off as a purchase for one house, has seen the property grow to now include four houses, remarkably all next door and adjacent to each other with the inner boundary walls removed to allow a lovely play area in the centre. Gert, many years ago was a policeman in the Child Protection unit. When he and his wife Antoinette eleven years ago planned to immigrate, his believed God was telling him to stay. He obeyed and the couple, who have two sons of their own, are now parents to many.
Practically Bethany House is clean, bright and modern… and you can only imagine what effort it takes when it comes to the washing all the clothing after a weekend.
The aim is to provide a welcoming and friendly environment. Under a tree you’ll find a sleeping pig and don’t step to close to the goose carefully guarding the eggs.
There’s a trampoline, jungle gym and swings outside. Guitars have been donated and for those interested, lessons are provided.
To the industry, you have been fantastic. Thank you for your support!! A special word of thanks also extends to Leigh-Ann O’Hagan from LIT Creations who set up the project on our home page.
