The Nazareth House has been serving the community of Cape Town for more than a decade providing vulnerable children and elderly with care and love. This month, caregivers at the home are calling on the public to support them as they host the organisation’s first huge fun fair in commemoration of its 130th anniversary.
Speaking to VOC, Sister Margaret Hope, a social worker at Nazareth House said members of the organisation have been working hard to make the special event a success. “We have been planning this fun fair for a very long time and this will be our first huge event,” said Hope. “We have many more fundraiser’s coming up, but this particular one is special, and I would love the community to come out and get to know these great people living at the home."
Food, crafts, design and decor are amongst the many exhibitions stalls that will be available on the day. There will also be a 'Flavours of the World’ food extravaganza that will be available for the two days. Hope advised carnival goers to try some of the world most delicious foods and sweets ranging from India, England, SA, Malaysia and lots more.
A variety of entertainment is set for the weekend anddvised people to come early to get a taste of the full programme. “We will be having various singers along with some great activities which include sumo wrestling, Babble Ball, Xbounce and Battle Gladiator. It will be catered for both adults and children,” she said. Hope said the proceeds of the fun fair will contribute to various needs at the home. “We are dependent on the public to feed and care for these people. The number of children and elderly who are being admitted to the home is increasing tremendously and therefore we need to be on our feet at all times,” she said.
The elderly taken in are mostly from hospitals in the city. Many of them had strokes and are not able to cope on their own anymore. They need nursing care at all times. Many of them are visited by family and friends, but there are a few cases where some are not visited by family at all. She said it is important that the humanitarian home networks with other organisations. “We work with similar homes in Cape Town as well as the local hospital and the South African Police Services. Working with the police service helps us to determine where children are left abandoned and caught up in terrible situations." The organisation has a 24 hour service available to the vulnerable at all times.
Meanwhile, coordinators are calling on the public to drop off wearable clothing and food items at the home. “Some of these items will be sold on the day of the event to raise funds for the home. The food items will contribute to the dishes that will be served at the fun fair,” she said. “However, we have charitable shops available to the public every month and are contributing tremendously to the needs of the home. If you are able to donate any of these items please do come forward."
The special event is set for Friday 26 and Saturday 27 October and will be held at the Nazareth House in Vredehoek. Entry fee for adults are only R25 per person and R15 for pensioners and children under the age of 18. If you would like to know more on the Nazareth House or how you can contribute towards the home, you can contact Beverly Florence or Gayenor Milne at 021-461 1635. You can also visit the home’s webpage at www.nazhouse.org.za. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
Speaking to VOC, Sister Margaret Hope, a social worker at Nazareth House said members of the organisation have been working hard to make the special event a success. “We have been planning this fun fair for a very long time and this will be our first huge event,” said Hope. “We have many more fundraiser’s coming up, but this particular one is special, and I would love the community to come out and get to know these great people living at the home."
Food, crafts, design and decor are amongst the many exhibitions stalls that will be available on the day. There will also be a 'Flavours of the World’ food extravaganza that will be available for the two days. Hope advised carnival goers to try some of the world most delicious foods and sweets ranging from India, England, SA, Malaysia and lots more.
A variety of entertainment is set for the weekend anddvised people to come early to get a taste of the full programme. “We will be having various singers along with some great activities which include sumo wrestling, Babble Ball, Xbounce and Battle Gladiator. It will be catered for both adults and children,” she said. Hope said the proceeds of the fun fair will contribute to various needs at the home. “We are dependent on the public to feed and care for these people. The number of children and elderly who are being admitted to the home is increasing tremendously and therefore we need to be on our feet at all times,” she said.
Desperate cases
“Sadly, there are many elderly people still on the waiting list, to be moved over to our home, but because there are many little kids coming in at all times, we are forced to take in the most desperate cases of homeless kids,” she said. There are many homes in Cape Town who can take these kids in, but if they are unable to, the facility has no choice but to intervene. "These kids need to be accommodated as soon as possible and cannot be left alone on streets any longer.”The elderly taken in are mostly from hospitals in the city. Many of them had strokes and are not able to cope on their own anymore. They need nursing care at all times. Many of them are visited by family and friends, but there are a few cases where some are not visited by family at all. She said it is important that the humanitarian home networks with other organisations. “We work with similar homes in Cape Town as well as the local hospital and the South African Police Services. Working with the police service helps us to determine where children are left abandoned and caught up in terrible situations." The organisation has a 24 hour service available to the vulnerable at all times.
Meanwhile, coordinators are calling on the public to drop off wearable clothing and food items at the home. “Some of these items will be sold on the day of the event to raise funds for the home. The food items will contribute to the dishes that will be served at the fun fair,” she said. “However, we have charitable shops available to the public every month and are contributing tremendously to the needs of the home. If you are able to donate any of these items please do come forward."
The special event is set for Friday 26 and Saturday 27 October and will be held at the Nazareth House in Vredehoek. Entry fee for adults are only R25 per person and R15 for pensioners and children under the age of 18. If you would like to know more on the Nazareth House or how you can contribute towards the home, you can contact Beverly Florence or Gayenor Milne at 021-461 1635. You can also visit the home’s webpage at www.nazhouse.org.za. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
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