Hello Neil and Diane We had A Xmas Party

The party was a big success. Very few of the children had ever seen a jumping castle, the little ones were even afraid of it at first and the older, braver children had to show them what one does with it. It was also a huge attraction for the Joe Slovo community - adults and children were queuing outside the gate to watch this colourful novelty, a first in the township! The noise, the laughter. And it was amazing to watch how the bigger ones helped the younger ones off when they started crying as play was getting too rough.

We then had a puppet show. Arthur, an ex-Lion, brought his two black and yellow crows, and he and Ronnie had the children in stitches with the crows stealing Arthur's wig and Ronnie's hat, talking, kissing and 'biting' everything and everyone.

Then came Father Christmas and brought each of the 88 children a soft, cuddly toy and a Christmas cracker, also something few children knew. The two teachers were thrilled with their Christmas bonuses, thank you Neil and Diane! My jeweller donated a stunning wrist watch which we presented to Vivian

Lunch was followed by huge blueberry ice cream tarts. I thought some of the children were going to be sick from all the food but they managed. They were exhausted from all the excitement and were already asleep when we started cleaning up.

It was a very rewarding day. To see the joy and the fun these children had was very special.

Thank you all!

Best regards

Gisela

cell 083 556 9818

Tel/Fax 021 557 8288 .

Help is just a teapot away for South Africa's Poor ... VICNEW.com

By Erin Cardone - Saanich News ... Vicnews.com

Published: December 05, 2010 1:00 PM
Updated: December 05, 2010 1:05 PM

Its handle is gone, its spout chipped.

But what Neil Douglas-Tubb has accomplished with his teapot has turned around the lives of hundreds of South African children, and won him a prestigious award in the process.

“It still brings tears to my eyes,” he said of the recent honour. “I wasn’t doing that for this.”

The privilege of receiving the Louis Volks Humanitarian award has never before gone outside South Africa, or the Lions Club.

But what truly touches this Victoria resident is when his teapot is brimming with loose change and bills.

“I think I’ve depleted every penny (jar) from here to wherever,” smiled Douglas-Tubb.

When he tops $1,000, it’s transferred to the Table View Lions Club in Cape Town. Upwards of $4,000 is sent every year to the South African service club.

The fundraising efforts have helped a rural elementary school there, and a daycare that sees the poorest of the poor come through its doors.

“There’s a saying that if you’ve been to Africa once and never been back, then you’ve never been to Africa,” he said. “I’ve been back, and I think I’ve been smitten.”

emccracken@vicnews.com