The early morning gave every reason to believe that it truly would be a roof-wetting. However, the weather cleared and the celebration to mark the official home-coming of the six babies and toddlers with their carers was filled with joy (if not an excess of sunshine).
The Domino Foundation’s Babies’ Home had been closed since mid-Winter for three months while the home was rescued from the ravages of bugs and the elements, but, with the advent of Summer, nothing could dampen the spirits of the assembled Domino family, friends and donors. It had been a top-to-bottom renovation and the facility was presenting itself in its pristine condition. Domino board members, CEO Steven van der Merwe and CFO Gavin Simpkins, thanked God for His abundant provision through the many long-term partners and donors who had so generously given to this project and gave an overview of the home’s two-decades-plus history. It was pointed out that 182 little ones have either been reunited with their biological families or found love in their new “forever” families.
Two of those present that day had been nurtured and loved by the home’s staff in its early days. One of them, Noma Ndlovu, said about being back in what had been the first home she had known: “I am filled with so many emotions. I know the babies at Domino are well looked after because I experienced the caring myself. I cried and I cried when I had to leave when I got to be too old and was sent to long term residential care village. I felt at home immediately when I came here today.”
In her heartfelt prayer, Crisis Mom, Precious Thabethe, thanked God for the home where she has worked for over twenty years. “My heart was particularly happy to see two young ladies to whom we’d had the privilege of giving a safe, loving home, celebrating with us today the start to their lives we were able to give them.”
She mentioned that there are two more partner projects on the cards – the renovation of their Crisis Home Cottage and the gardens at the home were showing signs of a combination of Winter’s dryness and the inevitable impact of building operations and said that a plan was being worked out for volunteers who would like to be part of the rehabilitation of the grounds. Anyone interested in being part of either of these projects to please engage with Ops Manager Cath Whittle on ops @ domino.org.za or on 031 110 0730
