Christmas begins very early at Wakefields, as staff throughout Kwazulu-Natal begin preparing and parcelling up festive gifts for the little children at Siyabaphephisa Creche, one of the pre-schools with which Focus on iThemba in Hillcrest, partners

Hope, happiness and the promise of a bright future through the power of education - it's all written on the faces of these little children, who benefit from the uplifting work achieved by the Hillcrest-based non-profit organisation, Focus on iThemba...aptly translated as 'place of hope'.

Focus on iThemba is Wakefields' chosen charity.

Many years ago, Wakefields chose to channel all their charitable support to Focus on iThemba and its initiatives, in particular their wholehearted commitment to investing in children through quality education. Focus on iThemba has grown substantially, and their reach is constantly being extended so more and more previously disadvantaged children benefit...right up to senior school bursaries.

Today, underlining their belief in the significance of the first six years of a child's life as crucial for brain development, Focus on iThemba works alongside eight preschools in the Valley of a 1000 Hills and Molweni areas - next year, they're adding two more. The children receive quality Early Childhood Development care, enabling them to thrive at later Foundation Phase Schooling.

Siyabaphephisa Crèche is one these preschools...and this year, the offices of all Wakefields branches and team members throughout Kwazulu-Natal, were a hive of activity with boxes, wrapping paper, edibles and toys, each parcel dedicated to a child at the Creche. Guided by the school, these festive gift boxes were filled with both practical and fun items, and the beaming smiles on these little children's faces was the only reward needed.

For the entire Wakefields team, being a part of bringing joy into the children's lives is a festive season highlight. Loud clapping and beaming little faces accompanied CEO Myles Wakefield and Marketing Director Haydn Wakefield as they offloaded the piles of gift boxes. Among all those, were special gifts too, for the teachers and assistants who work tirelessly with the children.

Wakefields management and the entire team certainly wrapped up Christmas for children this year!

"When you join teams that changes lives, yours will be the first."
Todd Stocker