WAKEFIELDS BRINGS CHRISTMAS TO FOCUS ON iTHEMBA

Christmas came early to 41 children at Focus on iThemba in Hillcrest, as Wakefields management and staff arrived bearing gifts on Tuesday December 3. Wakefields has long partnered with Focus on iThemba, a child-education focused NPO, but for Christmas, school's out, and it's all about gifts and fun!

When it comes to the children of Focus on iThemba, Wakefields Real Estate is involved all year round. But for Christmas, the entire staff, management and branches roll up their sleeves to make sure each child has a personalised Christmas gift, and that it contains all the right ingredients...some Must Haves, and other Wonderful To Haves! The children were over the moon with their gifts, and the smiles and joy as they received them, was humbling.

Wakefields is a community-based business of four generations over 80 years, so family is a strong focus - so, too, is serving the community in which the brand operates. For Wakefields, education is the corner stone of the future, so partnering with Focus on iThemba in Hillcrest makes perfect sense.

The core vision at Focus on iThemba is the facilitation or provision of quality education from early childhood up to senior school level, for those from previously disadvantaged homes in the local community. The organisation believes that change in young people's lives is best effected by investing in their education, and they seek out individuals and businesses who feel similarly, and want to support their goals.

Wakefields is intimately involved. It's their chosen charity, both for its community based involvement, and its commitment to education as the country's future.

For a number of years now, Wakefields has contributed to the iThemba Scholars Scholarship Fund, providing full funding for two children on their educational journey, maintaining a keen interest in the progress of these children, ensuring their fees, stationery and book requirements are entirely covered.

As an organisation, Focus on iThemba partners with Pre-Schools, has an Early Childhood Development Programme, and the iThemba Scholars Programme which provides previously disadvantaged boys and girls to attend Waterfall Schools. Their scope of work goes beyond these educational initiatives to supporting the schooling and living costs up to Grade 12 for iThemba foster children in their Esther Model.

iThemba means 'hope' in isiZulu, and since 2003 when Focus on iThemba opened its doors, organisations like Wakefields have contributed to keeping that hope alive and well for so many children. This 'place of hope' was built on the values to raise leaders who will have a positive impact on generations to come. Today, the vision is to Grow Hearts and Minds, by investing in children through quality education.

Wakefields is fully committed to supporting that vision.