Bataung Memorials put smiles on the tiny faces of 35 orphans from Katlehong. This, after the Tombstone manufacturing company, staged a CHRISTMAS PARTY for children from the Fountain Of Love Orphanage Centre in Katlehong, on 19 December 2010, whereby the little ones were showered with a bevy of gifts to brighten their festive season.
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, guests and elated faces of children adorning multicoloured facial paintings, packed a white marquee decorated with glowing Christmas glittery and two giant birthday cakes to celebrate the children’s birthday all at once.
Lebo Khitsane from Bataung Memorials with Christmas gifts bringing Joy to orphans
The purpose of the event was to deliver a memorable CHRISTMAS PARTY for the children. The event also marked the children’s yearly BIRTHDAY PARTY which is staged once a year because the organisation cannot afford to organise individual birthday parties.
On the day, children were presented with gifts that included clothes, toys and food parcels. They were also entertained with music while being inspired with motivational talks from different speakers.
They were also excited to interact with their role models such as popular DJ Zan-D and Muvhango actor Dingaan Mokibe, while the children rendered their own performances that included a dance routine and a moving solo vocal performance.
In his speech, Bataung Memorials CEO, Lebohang Khitsane, recounted how, when as a child, he was taught the principles of giving back by his primary school teacher, Mrs Ntsibanyoni (Who was also present at the event) and emphasized the need to spread love.
“We must have faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love. Love is patient and kind, it is not jealous, conceited or proud and therefore it is important as a company to embody such values,” Khitsane said. He also thanked a number of guests that had also brought gifts for the children.
These included DJ Zan-D, Carnival City, Huge Entertainment, Boitshoko Road Surfacing and Civil Works, Dingaan Mokibe (Muvhango actor) and Dr Bafana Nkosi. Fountain Of Love founder and CEO Rosy Mthembu couldn’t hold back tears of joy at the sight of ‘so many presents’ and was full of praise. “Bataung Memorials has always come to our rescue. In the past, they’ve bought us groceries and assisted us financially. We’re grateful for a company like Bataung Memorials,” she mentioned.
Fountain Of Love Orphanage Centre is a non-profit organisation which started as a soup kitchen in 2004 but today has grown into an organisation that cares for 35 children.
The organisation runs a Day Care which cares for 35 orphaned children and they also feed 119 orphans and destitute children who come to the Soup Kitchen run every Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays at a local church in Katlehong.
The children in the orphanage’s care range from 6 months to 19 years and the organisation has successfully managed to put two children through to University.