The facility also provides counselling, medical treatment and remedial schooling for these children whilst they are in its care.
The facility requires almost R65,000 per month to keep running - which includes a hefty grocery bill to feed the children.
Duo Marketing and Communications, a PR agency specialising in the ICT industry, decided to take action and launched the Heaven's Nest Shopping List Tick-off campaign. Using Facebook as a primary platform, the company appealed to Capetonians to assume the responsibility for one item on the lengthy shopping list, such as the 20 tubes of toothpaste and four pockets of potatoes that the facility uses each month.
"The principle is simple and very easy to contribute to," said Judith Middleton, CEO of Duo Marketing. "If one person can commit to buying one item off the list every month, it's one less expense the facility has to cover. Items like shampoo, nappies or breakfast cereal may not cost much on their own, but it adds up when you have to feed up to 15 children three times per day every single month."
To take part in the campaign, Facebook users simply read the grocery list posted on the Heaven's Nest Wall, contact Duo and state which product they would like to donate every month - thereafter, the item appears as "ticked" on the grocery list. That person then has to donate that item once a month for a year, or donate enough of the item to last several months. The goods can be collected by Duo Marketing staff or dropped off at the Heaven's Nest home or Duo offices.
Middleton said that although the campaign was extremely successful there are still items to be "ticked". "We are still looking for donations for various toiletries, condiments, and perishable items like meat, dairy and vegetables. We urge everyone to keep sharing the list until we've ticked off every single item."
Corporates such as PEP stores and Ackermans have also joined the drive and donated vouchers and clothing to the facility.
If you would like to get involved with Heaven's Nest, contact Eleanor Bester on +27 (0)21 703 9781, email ten.asmoklet@tsensnevaeh or go to www.heavensnest.org.za/Support.html.
For more information on Foster care in South Africa, go to www.services.gov.za.
