Thursday, 22 December 2011

Heart of Christmas

A caregiver’s expression clearly illustrates the joy of experiencing a Christmas party

Over 2 500 orphans and their caregivers were made to feel like royalty at the annual Izulu Orphan Projects’ (IOP) Christmas party at the weekend. From Friday to Sunday three separate groups of the beneficiaries supported by IOP throughout the year, were transported to the IOP offices from their rural homes for their own special Christmas party. IOP Chairman Kate Bain says, ‘Our amazing God used so many people to provide more than enough to really spoil our orphans and their caregivers. ‘The weekend ran like clockwork because we had volunteers from all over KZN and further afield arriving to do everything from making hot dogs to distributing presents and collecting valuable data for our ongoing care of these families.

‘IOP has an incredible staff who work together as such a strong team. ‘After all the hard work of organising such a huge function, they put on a nativity play for the children for a bit of fun. ‘The youth groups who entertained the children did an outstanding job.’ IOP care for only the most destitute families in the rural areas between Empangeni and eShowe, assisting many child-headed households and families where the main caregiver is often elderly and unemployed.