Over 200 children from Edendale Hospital and SOS Children’s Village received an early surprise when KZN MEC for Finance, Belinda Scott, visited them ahead of Christmas.
As part of her signature outreach campaigns, Scott, who is the Political Champion of Umgungundlovu District, visited the Children’s ward in Edendale Hospital. This ward cares for children of different ages with different illnesses and moved on to the nearby SOS Children’s Village in Grange Township where she handed out various types of gifts, mostly toys.
The purpose of the visit is to show love and care to all the children in hospital at this time of the year and give them hope as well as to show love to the children living in places formerly known as Children’s Homes.
Commenting of the gesture of love from Scott, Bonisiwe Dlamini who was with her sick child in Edendale Hospital, said this visit gave hope to those parents who are worried about the health of their children in hospitals.
“Some parents are poor and cannot afford to buy gifts for their children, especially at this time of the year. We are delighted that MEC Scott has rescued us and has put a smile on our children’s faces. This helps them to forget about their pain for a minute,” she said.
Siyanda Ngcobo, Co-ordinator and Caretaker at SOS Children’s Village said they house over hundred children from the age of 2 to 18 years with a few already over this age.
“We are an NGO and we survive on donations. We sometimes struggle to provide our children with everything they need. We are delighted to see that our government cares. MEC Scott’s visit, especially at this time of the year, has taken pressure from us. Children have received various gifts and they are happy. We would like to do more for these children, but we need partnerships and donations and guidance directed at developing them,” he said.
Speaking at the end of the visits, Scott said children are the future of our country and we all need to care and love them.
“We need to focus more on teaching children the skills they need to survive. The SOS Children’s Village has grown up children that need to be encouraged to learn various skills. They can even form co-operatives and start businesses. As government, we need to assist them grow and find their feet,” said Scott.
These outreach campaigns have seen Scott criss-crossing the province to make various donations to crèches, Children’s Homes, Orphanages, Co-operatives, Old Age Homes and various Non-Governmental Organisations in an attempt to encourage their resolve to work with communities and to help government alleviate poverty.
More information:
Musa Cebisa
Cell: 071 687 8777
