Sabtha and her kiddies singing a song.
2 weeks ago I took a trip to Cato Manor squatter camp. We visited a Pastor there who is from Zambia. He now lives in South Africa with his wife and 3 children and has a small church in the squatter camp. Pastor Simon and his wife Sabtha love their community very much but 2 months ago during the xenophobic attacks here in South Africa members of the local community dragged them out of their home in the middle of the night and stole all their belongings. They also smashed all the windows of the church and stole every thing from inside, including all the items that they used for their creche.
Every day Sabtha has up to 22 children dropped off at the church to spend the day while the mother s go to work. some come as early as 6:30 am and are there until 7pm. The babies range from 2 months to 6 years and all are adorable!!!!
My first visit was quite hard for me as the creche was just a small room crammed with babies and nothing for them to do.
No toys, no beds, nothing for them to do. many come with only one nappy and are soaked through, no bottles are sterilized and the formula is made cold as there is no way to heat it.
Sabtha has one lady helping her, but that is not enough and she was very tired.
Yesterday I went back to visit and take some donations that we have been given for babies.
Sabtha was so happy to see us and I had the opportunity to sit down and have a chat with her. She really loves these little ones and is trying to do her best to care for them so that their mothers can go out and try to earn a living, but she is frustrated that there is so little that she can do with what they have. There are a few toys (most are not age appropriate) and a couple of crayons but not enough for all the children to use and there was nothing for the babies to do other than lie on a mat on the floor.
Sabtha wants the children to learn and grown, she teaches them basic English and sings with them. She is a wonderful, generous woman who has a compassion for these little ones.
When our team from BCC were here one of the team members called Emma decided to do something to help and went out and got 200 nappies for the creche. The nappies cost about 10 pounds and have already made such a difference to Sabtha and certainly the babies who are wearing them, no more wet bums!!!
If you feel that you can in any way help this little creche out through toys, baby clothes, nappies or formula please let me know.
You can email me at vashti@projecto.org.za
Please pray for the safety of Pastor Simon, Sabtha and their children. Also pray for the church Emmanuel Ministries and their congregation, and please pray for Little Disciples Creche.
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