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.”
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.”