CHILDREN at Baphumelele Children’s Home in Khayelitsha were showered with Christmas gifts at the weekend by the South African Soong Ching Ling Foundation, which also donated food to last the shelter six months.

Consul-General Kang hand out food at Baphumelele Children's Home

The home provides shelter for orphaned children and young adults with chronic diseases and HIV/Aids. Skills are also taught to the unemployed.

Items such as sugar, cooking oil, flour and other daily necessities were donated. Last year, the foundation donated to Baphumelele a R2 million facility, named China House, which can host 18 teenage orphans before they leave the orphanage. The official handover on Saturday was attended by the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Cape Town, Kang Yong.

Addressing the children, staff and management, Kang said the foundation had thought of how those at Baphumelele Children’s Home would spend their festive season and whether they would have enough to eat.

“So today the foundation brings food and Christmas gifts. We hope all the kids can have a happy festive season. The local Chinese community would like to express respect and appreciation to all the teachers, staff and management for all your kindness to them.”

Kang said the local Chinese community was working for the mutual benefit of the two nations.

“It’s a pleasure and honour for us to do this for the kids and the local community.”