Outdoor media company, ADreach, has come to the aid of The Lighthouse Baby Shelter with a contribution of much-needed items to this safe haven for unwanted and abandoned babies.
Demonstrating the spirit of the festive season, ADreach staff undertook to collect items such as clothes; food; toys; formula; and bottles to aid the privately run shelter in its mission to provide a warm and loving home to rescued unwanted babies.
The shelter was established in 2008 by mother-and-daughter team, Eleanor Dustan and Wanita van Schalkwyk, who are committed to providing each and every child at the shelter with the best possible care and attention until they are adopted; fostered; or moved into new permanent homes.
The Lighthouse offers a facility - aptly named ‘The Moses Basket’ - where unwanted babies can be left anonymously by people who don’t have the means to keep and care for their children.
Through their Zandspruit Outreach Programme, the shelter also aims to educate; empower; and uplift mothers and children in the Zandspruit informal settlement in Honeydew. Shelter staff visit the squatter camp weekly to meet with 21 sponsored mothers who are unemployed and without alternative resources. Food parcels are delivered at least once a month, and support; assistance; and education are offered to mothers to enable them to better their lives and the lives of their children.
“Visiting the shelter was a wonderful experience,” says The ADreach Group’s Sarah Le Roux. “Although these babies and children all come from tragic stories, they are so happy and well looked after. Thanks to the Lighthouse they have a chance at feeling what a real family and loving home is like. One gets the feeling that they have a chance at life.”
The ADreach Group salutes Eleanor; Wanita; and the rest of the team at The Lighthouse Baby Shelter for the outstanding and selfless job that they do.
If you would like to make a contribution to The Lighthouse Baby Shelter, visit
www.thelighthousebabyshelter.co.za. Donations of articles used daily at the shelter; as well as any financial contributions and other assistance will be welcomed.