More than 300 local children under foster care celebrated Christmas Day in style as they sang and danced for their parents and siblings at a party at Noluthando Hall.
More than 300 local children under foster care celebrated Christmas Day in style as they sang and danced for their parents and siblings at a party at Noluthando Hall.
The Christmas party was the brainchild of the Grahamstown Foster Parent and Child Forum. During the party the children were given sweet packs and toys which had been donated by shops around Grahamstown. In addition to the donations the concerned parents contributed to the success of the event by donating some goods as well.
While the party was hosted by the 50 foster parents, the forum’s steering committee assisted with raising funds and solicited sponsors for the event. According to the steering committee’s chairperson Zingisile Kweta, donations were received from Tata Bottle Store, Metro Cash and Carry, Pick n Pay and businessmen Kholekile Nogxabela, Nkosiyabo Ntshebe and Nana Mdana.
Foster care parent Nobom Somhlahlo delivered a keynote address on how the group can avoid the challenges facing foster parents. Margaret Ngcangca, who runs one of the successful foster care centres in Grahamstown, spoke about how to become a foster care parent and explained how she copes with the challenges. She expressed gratitude for the support of Kweta and the forum’s secretary Lizo Zake, whom she referred to as her mentors.
Also present was Makana councillor Nonzameko Tyantsula, who welcomed the guests to the party.
Kweta says the forum is made up of ward-based structures which were formed by the parents after a series of meetings with the steering committee last year. Established in 2008, the forum aims to unite foster parents and children. According to Kweta, the forum also helps foster care parents with foster care grants applications because many of them are unemployed.
