Special Christmas for Kids Haven

WALVIS BAY
Jessica (Erongo) Botes
Orphans and vulnerable children at the Kids Haven in Walvis Bay enjoyed their Christmas with gifts and delicious food thanks to the generosity of residents of the harbour town.

Nampa reports that the shelter was started nine years ago by Maureen Baard, who is now its chairperson, to take care of orphans and vulnerable children aged up to 19 in the Erongo Region. It is currently home to 30 children, but on Monday there were only 14 young ones as the rest were spending the day with families who volunteered to have them over for Christmas.

Upon visiting the centre Monday morning, Nampa found the young ones playing outside, having already received their gifts. Housemother Nicolene Philander could not contain her excitement and thanked the community of Walvis Bay who donated the gifts and food.

“They are very supportive, which allows us to continue doing what we are doing here. These days I do not have to worry anymore, sometimes even if we do not cook there is always food coming in,” a proud Philander said.

She said every child received three gifts.

“They got toys, sweets and toothpaste,” she said.

The children were taken to Moon City some eight kilometres outside Swakopmund for a Christmas lunch and to have fun in the swimming pool.

“I want them to be able to enjoy themselves with other children instead of just staying at the centre, which is why we take them out,” Philander said.

The shelter is also planning an outing for the children for New Year’s Day.