Winter warmers for Childrens Centre

23 May 2010
As winter fast approaches, homeless people around the country will be subjected to the wrath of stormy weather and cold nights on street corners. As part of a drive to aid homeless children, the Department of Food and Nutrition have donated a batch of blankets to the Zamani Children's Centre in Durban, to help them get through the bitter nights ahead.  The department provided the boys' centre with soccer themed comforters as part of the department's 2009 community outreach programme.  Food and Nutrition lecturer, Heleen Grobbelaar, said the Zamani Centre was selected to be a project recipient after students had conducted research into several of the city's children's homes. The research team noticed that centre's comforters were in poor condition and were in need of replacement. Students were then mobilized to raise funds for the project through the sale of piggy banks and confectionary made from ingredients sponsored by the Department's staff. She said: "This project taught students the importance of giving back to community; it showed them that you don't need to have lots of money to make a difference in someone's life."   The Centre Manager, Muhle Ngcobo said they were humbled by DUT's contribution. The children are grateful for this thoughtful gesture, He added however, that the centre is in need of public support for the purchase of food and clothing. The Department is currently engaged in its 2010 project, in conjunction with the Department of Horticulture, which focuses on establishing and maintaining vegetable gardens at various child welfare centres in Durban.     Pictured: DUT students and staff of Zamani Children's Centre   -  Daisy Mthethwa