A Gqeberha woman has shared the Christmas cheer with children living in an impoverished settlement in Parsonsvlei.
With her husband, granddaughter and two assistants by her side, Ruby Leibrandt of Gelvan Park brought smiles to the faces of the youngsters and their parents as she treated them to a spit braai, cake, cooldrinks and party packets.
And with more than enough food to go around, each adult received a meal too.
The plot, which contains 52 dilapidated houses with no electricity, one communal tap and mobile toilets, came to life with the sound of laughter on Tuesday.
The mothers of the children said they were grateful for the joy the meals had brought them.
Felicity Hayes said she did not have the words to express her gratitude to the woman known to the community as Auntie Ruby.
“This is something huge for our children.
“We cannot spoil them and what is being done here today is a major blessing. It warms my heart.”
Jeanetta Tiervlei said: “I am so happy. It is a blessing from heaven.
“I only started working this month and will only get paid next year.
“Today the people are doing for my children what I cannot do at this stage.”
The residents were also invited to attend a church service in Malabar on Christmas Day.
Leibrandt, who serves the people of Parsonsvlei a meal on a regular basis, said they had held a special place in her heart ever since she first drove around the settlement in 2019 and was saddened by what she saw.
“The children and their parents are always grateful for the smallest act of kindness.
“As you can see, the living conditions are very bad.”
She said she decided to do something different for them rather than the usual curry and rice she had served in previous years.
“We have the best meals to enjoy on Christmas Day so I asked God to give me wisdom and He guided me to my friend from Werner’s Spitbraai.
“With sponsorships from St Claire Adriaan, a former northern areas resident who is now a school principal in America, another teacher who works abroad and other smaller donations, I was able to do this,” she said.
Leibrandt said she was unable to fund her outreach projects from her own pocket and needed the help of others.
“It is rewarding to put a smile on a child’s face.
“I appeal to other residents to also make a difference to the people of Parsonsvlei.
“I don’t want your money, you can donate anything to help make a difference. It is in our hands,” she said.
HeraldLIVE
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