Small things make a big difference
Small things make a big difference

Small things make a big difference

Northern estate agent Juliana Nepembe-Haimbodi brought joy to children who had to spend Christmas in a hospital bed.
Kenya Kambowe
While many families enjoyed Christmas Day with their loved ones at their homes or holiday destinations, a northern businesswoman decided to spend the day at the Oshakati Hospital handing out gift hampers to over 100 vulnerable children.

Vintage Properties CEO Juliana Nepembe-Haimbodi said the reason for her good deed on Christmas Day was to give back to the community and that she knows from personal experience how it feels to spend the special day in a hospital bed.

Accompanied by some of her family members, Nepembe-Haimbodi moved from ward to ward, room to room, delivering gift hampers to the over 175 vulnerable children in the Oshakati Hospital.

One could see the smiles and joy on the faces of the children who were happy to receive the gifts.

Some of them immediately unwrapped their gifts and started playing with the toys while others were enjoying the juice and fruits they had received.

If it was not for Nepembe-Haimbodi, it would have been just like any other day for those children.

“I once spent Christmas Day in the hospital as a child and it was not a good feeling as other people are out there having a good time,” Nepembe-Haimbodi said.

She pointed out that children tend to be fonder of celebrating Christmas Day than adults, therefore she focused on children but her ambition is to one day give back to all the patients in the hospital.

Nepembe-Haimbodi said children do not need expensive gifts to be happy, as the cheapest toy can put a smile on a child's face.

“We spend thousands of dollars on buying food and drinks to celebrate Christmas Day but to make a child happy on this day, a toy will make a difference. Children love toys, therefore we should look at those small things and give it to them.

“Christmas is the biggest event of the year and it means a lot especially to children,” she said.

She added that giving gifts to the children is part of her social responsibility, as the community is the stakeholder that assist businesses to grow therefore it is right to give back.

After giving all the children gift hampers, Nepembe-Haimbodi proceeded to the maternity ward where she handed gift hampers to the mothers who gave birth on Christmas Day.

Nepembe-Haimbodi said she plans to make it a yearly event if the funds are available and the support from sponsors is good.

For this particular donation, she was assisted by Rani Investment, Oshakati Pharmacy and Fysal Fresh Produce.



KENYA KAMBOWE

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Namibian Sun 2024-12-26

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