- Joanna du Toit raised R35,000 to fix ceilings and windows at the Home of Joy in Makhanda.
- Her brother Charl dressed as Santa Claus to hand out gifts to excited children during the visit.
Matric learner Joanna du Toit has turned a love for flowers into a safe home for children in Makhanda.
The Kingswood College pupil raised R35,000 selling blooms from her family farm. Now, that money is fixing the Home of Joy orphanage.
Joanna first visited the home when she was 14. She saw that the children needed help and decided to act.
‘I knew South Africa had underprivileged areas, but I didn’t realise how bad things were until I visited,’ she said, News24 reported.
She started a small business selling flowers to teachers and parents.
This festive season, her hard work paid off. The money will pay for new ceilings, doors, windows, and fresh paint for the children’s bedrooms.
But she did not stop at building repairs. She also brought the Christmas spirit.
Joanna arrived at the home with her brother Charl. He dressed up in a Santa suit to hand out presents to every child.
‘The children absolutely loved him,’ Joanna said.
Her mother Rose says Joanna did all the hard work herself, from taking orders to delivering the bunches.
Joanna won the Neil Aggett Award for her service. She plans to study teaching at Stellenbosch University next year but promises to keep the flower project running.
‘I started this simply to help the people around me,’ she said.
Pictured above: Home of Joy.
Image source: Home of Joy/Facebook
