Tales of Christmas in Westlake
Twas the week before Christmas and all through The Hope Centre not a creature was stirring except for the 12 children stood on the grass in front of an array of parents, siblings, teachers and one random girl from across the road who appeared early on.
Our volunteers had spent the last two weeks preparing the children for our end of year Christmas party. During the event our partner Pastor Brian of the Westlake Baptist Church was able to thank all of the parents for their support and thank GVI for our input in what has been a successful venture so far. We had been making decorations, necklaces, cards and of course practising a few carols including the obligatory “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells”. The event went really well. The children, including the random girl from across the road, sang beautifully and were joined in the finale by all the parents, who also looked to be enjoying themselves, or at least the mince pies!
The show was stolen by an outstanding appearance by Santa Claus, who in this case bore a striking resemblance to our Programs Manager Jim Bacon, though none of the kids seemed to see it so perhaps I am wrong! Either way he was warmly welcomed, sung to and then hugged by all the kids at once. Presents were given to all of the Hope children and also brothers, sisters and of course the random girl from across the road. Everyone left with a smile on their faces, a song in their hearts and in the case of Evance, one of our 5 year olds, a pocket bulging with mince pies! It was a fitting end to a great year for us here and a lovely way for us to say thank you to the children, parents and also the volunteers here.
From all at GVI, we hope you had a Merry Christmas and we wish you a Happy New Year! Fingers crossed that we can move into the new year with as much success as we have had in this past one, and that those students who are moving on do so with some good luck and maybe a bit more education than they had before.
Nick Herrick – Fish Hoek Project Manager
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