Katoen outreach brings Christmas cheer to disadvantaged families
Provincial Mpumalanga MS finalist Carlette Alberts and Mrs Mpumalanga finalist Jessica Primm joined hands with Carla Ludick of White River over the weekend to reach out to the people of Katoen, an informal settlement outside Nelspruit.
More than 60 people call Katoen their home.
Carla initiated the outreach and it is the second time she visited the area to lend a helping hand.
“We moved to White River in 2020 and I was looking for a project to get involved with,” says Carla. “Children are especially close to my heart and the children living in Katoen really touched me.
“I decided to focus on helping where I can. I collected groceries, toys, clothing, and stationary and with the help of Jessica and Carlette delivered it to Katoen,” she says.
She plans on doing an outreach every year. She did the first one in December 2021.
“I would not have been able to do any of this without the help and support of my husband, Jakes,” she says.
Suria Booysen, the Katoen camp leader, welcomed Carla, Jessica Prim and Carlette Alberts with open arms when they first told her about their ideas to help the community of Katoen.
More people joined to help on the special day and it was clear that they really made a difference.
Carlette thanks all the sponsors who contributed to make the day a huge success.
She adds a special word of thanks to Carla Ludick, her husband Jakes, and their children Matthew, EJ and Duané.
“You are just absolutely amazing people. Your hearts are pure and filled with so much love and kindness. Thank you for everything you did. I will cherish you always,” says Carlette.
Carla also thanked Elize Breytenbach and her daughter, Lize-mari Nortje, for the gift packs, Zippy the Clown, A Perfect Print (APP) for their t-shirts, Angelique Koen and her team of Electra for boerewors rolls and gifts, and Jaco’s Jumping Castles.
