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Joburg threw a party for over a thousand children, giving orphans and vulnerable youngsters a chance to have a birthday party.
The mayor gets into the party mood
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
CHILDREN love celebrating their birthdays, although sadly many are not able to enjoy their special days. However, the City brought some birthday cheer to over a thousand vulnerable, orphaned and disabled children at a special Every Child's Birthday celebration yesterday.
The party, on 2 December, was held in conjunction with World Aids Day, marked around the world on 1 December each year.
The children were entertained at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia, where Executive Mayor Amos Masondo chatted and sang with them. Oldies but goodies were in the repertoire, such as Twinkle, twinkle little star.
Masondo said every person had a child in them and that the best time of life was when one was still young. "You must enjoy your time as children and be safe," he added.
There were animal exhibits, water slides and jumping castles and a brief presentation on hygiene. Johannesburg Zoo brought along some snakes, and those brave enough were allowed to touch - some children even had the reptiles coiled around their necks.
Prestige Hygiene spoke about good hygiene and cleanliness. Representatives from the company used two mascots, Kim Mclean and Hygiene, to show the children how and when to wash their hands.
Giant inflatables, what more could a child want at a party
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)
Wearing brightly coloured T-shirts bearing the words, "Every Child's Birthday", the delighted children ate birthday cake and all received gifts of teddy bears, camp chairs and wristwatches. The water slide was a particularly favourite activity.
Organisations that brought the children to the botanical gardens included schools, church groups and NGOs that work with orphans, and disabled and vulnerable children. NGO organisers said the day was fruitful and entertaining for the children.
Nkele Moomakoa, the operational manager of the City's orphaned and vulnerable children projects, said a birthday was something special, which most of these children did not get a chance to celebrate. "This is a day for each of them to celebrate their birthday, even if it has passed and also for them to feel special and loved."
It was the second year that the City has thrown an Every Child's Birthday celebration. In 2007, it took place at Little Falls Resort in Roodepoort.
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