Gold Reef City & Hot 919’s Hot Cares – making Christmas wishes come true!
Hester Oosthuizen, a dedicated and talented woodwork and music teacher, made 400 personalised toys by hand in two months for all the special needs children in the Medicos School where she teaches. And, according to her friend Johan Wildenboer, all she wanted for Christmas was an ongoing supply of wood so she could turn her woodwork centre at the school into a real Santa Workshop every year! Gold Reef City, SA’s most loved entertainment spot, made her Christmas wish come true through HOT 91.9 FM’s Hot Cares Christmas Wish initiative. What’s more, Gold Reef City and Hot 919’s Hot Cares was so touched by Hester’s story, not only did they agree to sponsor the wood, they will also be giving her woodwork centre a total makeover!
Hester and her group of special needs kids, made and hand-painted wooden tractors, planes, sewing machines, building blocks, guns, trucks, cars, knitted dolls and bean bags this year for all 400 kids in the school. Wildenboer said, “At first Hester paid for everything out of her own pocket. She refused to buy any gifts – she wanted them all to be extra special and handmade. Later, she relied on donations to finish off her project.” Hester then packed and wrapped each gift individually. She asked the teachers what their kids needed and wanted and chose a gift suited to each individual child. “Her whole workshop at the school looked like a picture from Santa’s workshop. Nothing short of a miracle, indeed a Christmas wonder!” said Wildenboer.
The school planned a Christmas party where the gifts were handed out to very grateful children – children who are mentally disabled and generally come from very poor backgrounds. Parents, teachers, children and some special guests celebrated this special event by singing Christmas carols in all possible languages. “The Christmas celebration touched the hearts of every person involved. If there ever was a Mother Clause in South Africa, it is Hester Oosthuizen!” said Wildenboer.
Kiran Singh, Director of Operations & Complex General Manager at Gold Reef City said, “Gold Reef City is honoured and privileged to be able to sponsor such an incredible project. Hester has nothing but love in her heart for these beautiful children and the whole story touched us all very deeply. We are proud to be a part of it!”
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