SHE knows exactly what it feels like to go to bed hungry because there simply isn’t any food in the house.
She also knows the feeling of desperately wanting a pretty new dress and shoes for Christmas but not getting anything because there is no money.
These are just some of the reasons why this young woman from Nelson Mandela Bay has spent the last year using every little bit that she had managed to save up for herself and even some of her student allowance, to make the dreams of the needy come true.
Alicia Daniels (31), a final year social work student at Nelson Mandela University, has teamed up with three other young women to run an initiative to supply needy adults and children in her community with food and toiletries.
To ensure that no little girl, or boy, feels left out during the festive season, the four of them run an initiative every year around this time when they ask willing family members and friends to sponsor a child with a Christmas shoebox.
This shoebox is filled by the sponsor with necessities such as a piece of clothing for Christmas Day, toiletries, a toy and some snacks for the little ones.
The boxes are then handed out to the children shortly before Christmas by Daniels and her team, who call themselves God’s Helpers.
“Since I was a little girl, I’ve always had a dream of making a difference in the community. I started with a soup kitchen, where I asked friends and family to help it stay afloat.
“Other times, I used my student transport allowances for the soup kitchen. Last year, closer to December, I felt that I needed to use my savings to bless a child or three with clothing,” Daniels explained.
She added that she contacted two women that she studies with and asked them to join the initiative.
Both said yes and one said that she already had a plan: to make up a few gift boxes for children.
A few weeks later, two more women, who also try their best to give back to the community, joined the group.
God’s Helpers currently consist of Daniels, Antoinette Pietersen, Abigail De Vos and Debaneigh Jordaan.
“We all had the same vision: to make a difference in a child’s life. What motivated us is that some of us also come from poor backgrounds.
“We know what it feels like. That is the background of Antoinette, Abigail and me and that inspired us, also the love that we have for children and our community,” Daniels said.
According to Pietersen, God’s Helpers would love to expand their projects to include multiple areas in the metro, but right now, they are only able to focus mostly on Tiryville in Kariega.
“We started with the project last year and our vision and desire is to expand but since we only have friends and family as sponsors so far, we haven’t been able to.
“We want to work in other communities so badly but without outside sponsorship, reaching other communities is difficult. However, we do believe that God will provide and make it possible for us to work in other communities,” Pietersen said.
De Vos, an education student, said that the project means so much to the children. “We know the need in this community and how parents are expected to create magic with the little social grant that they receive.
“Seeing the children’s bright eyes and sincere smiles shows us that they really appreciate what we do and that they look forward to it,” De Vos said.
“We want to make Christmas Day a reality for these children and we are very dependent on sponsorships.
“Our biggest encouragement to carry on with the project is the sincere smiles and pure joy on their faces.
“Our greatest prayer and longing is to get more sponsors in order for us to help more children.”
Jordaan, also a final year social work student, added that the project is not only legal, but that they are also very serious about making a difference and creating awareness.
“We would appreciate support and sponsors, not for our own benefit, but that of the children who are the beneficiaries.”
Jordaan added that if anyone would like to help them make a child feel special this Christmas, any shoebox would do.
“It should at least have one clothing item, toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, face cloth and soap, an age-appropriate toy and some luxuries like sweets or biscuits.
“Anything else is welcome and will be highly appreciated.”
For more information, readers can visit God’s Helpers’ Facebook page where their WhatsApp numbers are displayed.
They are also available for calls on 067 7390 324.
