Children's home gets a facelift, thanks to UCT Radio

Community outreach: UCT Radio visited the family at Colleen's Place of Hope in Mitchell's Plain, a refuge for 30 orphaned and abandoned children.

As August is Women's Month UCT Radio treated 'foster' mother Colleen Naidoo of Mitchell's Plain to a spa treatment, courtesy of the Sandy Roy Beauty Institute.

They also arranged a facelift for the house, Colleen's Place of Hope, that is home to 30 orphaned and abandoned children, ranging from eight to 21 years of age.

This was part of UCT Radio's community outreach, which also includes a job shadowing programme in the December holidays when high school pupils visit the studios and learn how to deejay.

UCT Radio's human resources manager, Nazmia Leite, lives in Mitchell's Plain and helps out at Colleen's Place of Hope over weekends.

In addition, UCT Radio called in a graffiti artist to decorate the house with colourful and lively murals.

"We also received a generous donation in the form of R1 300 from an anonymous donor, and it's sincerely appreciated," a UCT Radio spokesperson said.

"We also rallied our staff to donate clothing and we bought groceries, school uniforms and bookshelves.

"It's touching to hear the little voices calling Colleen 'mom'.

"A look at the bedroom door finds a note that reads: 'Mom we know we can be a handful sometimes but please don't give up on us, we love you'. Just reading that leaves a lump in one's throat."