A Schaapkraal woman is giving orphans like herself a little joy before Christmas.
For the past five years, Roxanne Abrahams, 29, has been giving orphans a party in loving memory of her mother who passed away four days before Christmas.
Roxanne says she was 13 years old when her mother died due to an illness.
As an only child, who also did not know her father, it was devastating to deal with.
“My mom passed away on 21 December 2003, so my first Christmas as an orphan was heartbreaking,” she says.
CELEBRATE: Roxanne Abrahams
For her memorial to her mom, Roxanne chose the Heaven’s Nest Centre based in Ottery where she treats kids to a party each year.
“So instead of making my mom’s memorial sad, I chose to make it memorable.
“As I always say, from one orphan to another, we might not have parents but the love is beyond this world.
“Seeing these kids with smiles on their faces brings me peace and knowing that they’re not alone.”
She treated 14 kids to a bash and funded the party herself with help from pals.
Roxanne treated 14 kids to a bash and funded the party herself with help from pals. Picture supplied
“I received cake, cash, toys and some friends even offered their time to play with the kids,” she says.
The children received toys and toiletry hampers.
Roxanne says she no longer mourns the loss of her mom but celebrates the Christmas spirit.
“It brings me so much joy when entering the orphanage with my Christmas hat on and all the kids shout ‘Santa is here’ and all are so
welcoming with hugs and kisses,” she adds.