Absa spreads winter warmth in Soweto

Children at Mthimkhulu Stimulations Centre receive winter wear, blankets, toys and colouring books from Absa?s Se?ego Cares.

The children at two Soweto orphanages – Jan Hofmeyer in Sophiatown and the Mthimkhulu Stimulations Centre in Meadowlands – will be a little warmer this winter thanks to a donation by Sešego Cares, one of the charitable arms of Absa Bank.

The donation includes winter garments such as woollen scarves, beanies, jerseys and blankets. The donation forms part of Sešego Cares’ annual winter drive.

“Absa employees donate wool and a group of retired women from Roosevelt Park’s Rose village knit hundreds of winter woollies every year. The knitwear is then handed to Sešego Cares which distributes it among charities that care for needy children,” says Annemarie Mostert, National Co-ordinator of Absa Sešego Cares.

The winter project, which was started two years ago by senior citizens, Iris Feyt and Doreen Smith, has helped spread warmth to more than 1 400 needy children this year. Sešego Cares aims to reach a further 2000 children in Gauteng this coming winter.

Mthimkhulu Stimulations Centre is a crèche that caters for disabled children in early child development, between the ages of zero and seven. "We are grateful for this generous humanitarian gesture that will make a tremendous difference in the lives of the children this winter,” Leah Mthimkhulu Kunene, founder of Mthimkhulu Stimulations Centre in Meadowlands, Soweto said when he received the winter clothing and blankets from Sešego Cares.

“Absa’s Sesego Cares is a group of non-profit volunteers who assist disadvantaged communities. Through donations such as the winter knitwear, the organisation is able to make a difference to underprivileged communities in Southern Africa through its social upliftment projects. By working in the spirit of Ubuntu, Sesego Cares’ aim is to help communities reach their full potential,” says Mostert.

Individuals, organisations and businesses wanting to assist in bringing a little warmth to the less fortunate in other parts of South Africa this coming winter, can contact Annemarie Mostert, the National Co-ordinator of Sesego Cares online at [email protected]