“We don’t receive gifts at Christmas.”
This revelation by a grade 6 orphan at the Solid Foundation Academy during a school oral presentation resulted in her classmates and teacher spending the year fundraising to donate more than 50 gifts to the girl’s former orphanage, Coram Deo Home, in Coffee Bay.
The 12-year-old’s story, presented in a class oral earlier this year, left her 22 peers and teacher Heather Bhana in tears.
The girl – who is not being named – joined the Christian primary intermediate school this year with her older brother, 16, and younger sister, 6, after they were adopted by Uitenhage resident and pastor, Elroy Bagley.
Bhana said that after the oral presentation in the first term, her pupils quickly rallied together to provide Christmas presents for the home’s 14 orphans and about 40 children from the surrounding villages.
“It was an incredibly moving story, most of the pupils and myself were left in tears,” Bhana said.
“It made us realise how privileged we actually are, and the other extreme which exists.
“Thereafter, we had civvies days, entrepreneurs days, raffles and more for the carepacks.”
She said the carepack was a shoebox wrapped in Christmas paper with a personalised note from each pupil.
It contains a cap, T-shirt, crayons, colouring book, sanisaid tary items, sweets and chips, as well as a soft toy.
“The school staff also jumped on board, each of them sponsoring another gift for the kids. We want all the kids in the village to get a present.
“Even parents [knitted] the soft toys and woollen caps.
“Her story has taught these children the real privilege of serving others.”
Grade 6 pupil Giselle Smith, 12, said the thought of being able to help someone, particularly over Christmas, was so fulfilling she hopes the project will become an annual one.
“When she shared her story it broke my heart. When she they had never got presents for Christmas, I couldn’t imagine not opening a present.
“So I am very happy we could help. I know the children will love the stuff we got them.
“And they also taught us to value what we have because there are a lot of people who have less,” Giselle said.
Classmate Mbali Nxala, 13, said she hoped the excitement for Christmas would start to build once the gifts were dropped off on December 15.
“I hope they have the same feeling we do in the time before Christmas when you can see the presents but have to wait to unwrap them.
“I am happy we could give [them] a real Christmas this year,” Mbali said.
Bagley, who is also the director of the Coram Deo Home, said the gesture was immensely thoughtful and heartfelt.
He said the 60 or so children they fed daily would truly appreciate the presents.
“For the pupils to help other children is an incredibly moving experience.
“The kids in the orphanage and children from Coffee Bay and the surrounding villages live in severe poverty – receiving gifts is unheard of,” he said.
“I know the entire community of Coffee Bay will be so grateful.”