Wrapping angels in love and warmth
BABIES and preschoolers at Little Angels creche were wrapped in love and warmth by Theodor Herzl school pupils and friends, who knitted them blankets and teddy bears to keep them snug when they napped on the floor of their single classroom in Walmer Township.
The woollen items were accepted on their behalf by Glenda Brunette, who actively assists nine creches in the area through her Walmer Angel Project.
Theodor Herzl Primary School teacher Chantal Klackers said the blankets had been "handcrafted with love".
"Every opportunity to help others reinforces the ethos of kindness that we strive to instill in our pupils. Our knitting club was started this year by Grade 6 pupil Rebecca Kilbride, 12, who wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of disadvantaged children. Some of our Theodor knitters are as young as eight," she said.
"They meet weekly and churn out bright squares from donated bits of wool. Grannies, parents, staff members and friends also contribute to our project, and all the squares are simply crocheted together to make coszy little blankets," she said.
Brunette said the Walmer Angel Project's focus was now on keeping the young children warm in the rainy weather. Basic first aid and hygiene related items are also high on her wish list.
"There are 38 children at Little Angels creche, aged between three months and five years, who play, learn and sleep in this one classroom. People may wonder what they can do to help, but these young pupils at Theodor Herzl have shown that just one knitted square makes a difference."
Brunette also runs a soup kitchen in Walmer, which is feeding more than 80 people.
Her son, Brendan Brunette, has committed R20000 per year for the next 10 years to the Walmer Angel Project, through his fresh produce distribution company.