There was great excitement among the girls of Dingemans House residence on Friday, as they were 'busted' by Radio Algoa and Nando's 'Whole Lotta Heart' campaign.
There was great excitement among the girls of Dingemans House residence on Friday, as they were 'busted' by Radio Algoa and Nando's 'Whole Lotta Heart' campaign.
Every Friday, the partnership's Heart Squad arrives in a particular area in Algoa Country to reward businesses or organisations that are helping worthwhile charities. Charlton Tobias of the Heart Squad, waiting outside the res for the big moment to arrive, said that it was the first time that they had 'busted' a residence.
Tracy Chambers, Dingemans' House Warden, sent in the request to Radio Algoa on behalf of her House, who have been working extensively with the House of Joy in Joza. The House of Joy is an orphanage run by Margaret Ngcangca, where she looks after nineteen children, most of whom are Aids orphans.
Margaret joined the girls having their lunch at Nando's Grahamstown, bringing with her Endinako (which means 'all I have') who was left at the gate of the House of Joy, and Hope, the baby who was abandoned outside the Joza Library and who is now doing well.
The girls of Dingemans have been collecting clothes for the children, and are also intending to hold a Christmas party for them, with a little present and a gift of clothes for each child. While we all congregated in the little car park at the back of Dingemans House, excited faces kept appearing at the windows above, with the big smiles on the girls faces letting us know that it was just possible that the game had already been given away and the girls were aware of what was happening!
After Dean of Students Viv de Klerk arrived, and Margaret and her charges helped from the car, we proceeded in a procession into the common room, to be met with a wall of excited chatter and a fair amount of giggling from the girls gathered there.
Charlton Tobias announced that they had been busted, to loud cheers, and at 12.30, he crossed live to Radio Algoa. The babies were passed from hand to hand and cooed over by everyone, Margaret was given a seat of honour for the wonderful work she does at the House of Joy, and everyone enjoyed a Nando's feast and the warm sense of recognition for their efforts.
Radio Algoa and Nando's 'Whole Lotta Heart' campaign came to Grahamstown, and what a great occasion it was!
