Aanhouwen, a work and care centre for persons with disabilities in the Helderberg basin, could with generous donations from the community host a Christmas Party for their beneficiaries at their Somerset West premises on Thursday December 12.
According to Aanhouwen manager, Lee-Andra Koegelenberg, the idea for the party was a spur-of-the-moment thing and once news about the prospect of hosting the party was shared on WhatsApp it soon spread like a veld fire and what started off as a day of braaing boerewors and rolls for their beneficiaries, soon became a community-oriented group effort with everyone jumping in with support to make a proper Christmas party with all the trimmings, possible.
Donations were received from individuals, groups and local organisations all to make the day for the 40 beneficiaries a treat.
“We received so many donations it takes my breath away just thinking about the number of contributions (big or small) the community has made towards our Christmas Party,” says Ms Koegelenberg about the community’s reaction to their party plans.
Besides, hosting and treating the centre’s beneficiaries on the day, Ms Koegelenberg says an absolute highlight for her is witnessing the tangible excitement among the guests in the build-up to the day. “It’s amazing to see the excitement present in all the planning and preparation for the day, nails are being done, make-up done, hair dyed in all colours, and it’s all just a joyous anticipation leading up to the party,” she says.
Speaking to Bolander on the day, she said there was a jolly atmosphere in the air with braai fires being lit early morning in preparation for the fun day and guests showing up in high spirits.
“Socialising is another important skill and it’s of great benefit to beneficiaries to on the day get the time to enjoy the togetherness, socialise and converse with others. They also work very hard during the year, so they deserve a day to just sit back and relax,” says Ms Koegelenberg.
She expressed her earnest gratitude to everyone who donated towards making the party possible, especially also thanking the Helderberg Rotary Anns for their involvement and support. “We are grateful for every donation and want to thank all the local organisations who through the year has supported us tremendously.
“This year we experienced a new sense of collaboration and networking amongst organisations assisting our operations and this has truly strengthened our work and made it possible for us to get through another year. This new network of working together, has been the highlight of our year.”
As a public benefit organisation, the public is invited to support their work. Current needs of the organisation are funds needed for the completion of their administration building presently under construction. Then the ambitious goal for next year is to set-up a Coffee Shop on the premises to generate income for the organisation. Any donations towards this initiative are welcome.
“As an organisation for people with disabilities, our wish is to interact more with our community and we extend an invitation to the public to come out and meet us, this is our intention with the Coffee Shop, to set-up a space where the public can come and visit with our beneficiaries.
“The more exposure we get in the public domain the more awareness is raised, and people will no longer see us as existing in isolation or being a separate group in society; our hope is to be inclusive,” she concludes.
To donate to the future projects of the organisation visit, aanhouwen.co.za
