The children of the Sive Nathi centre are different from most. They are severely mentally and physically disabled, and have very little opportunity to enjoy life in the ways we are accustomed to: walking, dressing themselves; even talking is almost impossible.
Each year we try to bring some joy and excitement into these wonderful children’s lives by taking them on an outing; away from their usual “four walls and a roof”. This year we, once again,  chose the beautiful Helderberg Nature Reserve for the event.
Arriving at Sive Nathi in a big red luxury coach( each child must have a seat belt for traveling) we were met with delighted children and staff. We carried the children in one by one, and stored the wheelchairs in the bus luggage compartment and our Kombi van.
Although these children are not able to express themselves, by their excited reactions as we carried them to their place under the trees, we could tell they remembered the reserve from the previous year . The weather was perfect; warm and sunny with a pleasant breeze. We found on previous outings that the children really enjoy watching the leaves move in the wind, so this location with lots of trees was ideal!
We pushed them around the reserve in their wheelchairs, and let them soak in the beauty of the scenery. Because of their condition, they are limited to soft foods, so we treated them to chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, and custard. Then they each recieved a lovely cuddle toy to keep them company-pink for the girls and blue for the boys. Their sweet smiles and joyful eyes, looking back and forth in wonder said more than words ever could.
We are so thankful to have been able to show these little ones some Christmas care, and let them know that they, though different from most, are God’s special much-loved children!