For children who have never had pizza or have only enjoyed it once before, the surprise township pizza party couldn’t have been more of a treat. Thanks to Joburgers near and far, delivery after delivery rolled in until there was a bakkie load of boxes ready to give the children a party they’ll remember forever:

Johannesburg, South Africa (04 March 2024) — It was a weekend filled with love and loads of pizza for the children that Charity Begins With Me (CBWM) looks after. After the decision to trade an outing adventure for a surprise township pizza party was made (a treat all its own, considering many of the children had only ever had pizza once before), it was time to get planning to pull it all off.

The obvious make-or-break element of this party was whether there would be enough pizza to go around. But as it so often is for CBWM, the call for support was met with great hearts and an even greater willingness from Joburgers near and far, and it wasn’t long until the pizza deliveries started roaring in.

We all know how excited we get when our takeaway deliveries arrive warm and ready to be devoured. Now just imagine that simple joy, crank it up a few notches and you have something of an idea as to how Stephan Ferreira felt as delivery after delivery popped up.

With a sturdy pizza tower ready to challenge the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it was time to get to the kids. Chartering all 130 pizzas meant a bakkie was loaded to the brim for the ultimate delivery of the day.

The children had no idea there would be any pizzas headed their way, let alone enough pizzas to make any child’s wildest dreams come true.

Needless to say, the township pizza party was the kind of day that’ll go down in wholesome legend.

Reflecting on it all, Stephan shared:

“I spend a lot of my time with children living in informal settlements and the one thing I wish I could give all of them is the same experiences so many other children take for granted. They never eat junk food. I am sure most of them have never had pizza.

“I had a plan and with the help of so many amazing pizza the UberEats deliveries showed up one by one today. Each delivering a little bit of love…” 

“…We are so grateful for every single person who contributed to this project. Thank you!! The kids had no idea they were getting pizza today and when they saw all the boxes they were so happy and excited.”

Sources: Charity Begins with Me

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Towers and Bakkie Loads of Treats: Township Pizza Party a Success! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

A fresh veggie ‘Love Garden’ has found a new home at the Khanyisa School for the Blind where it will help the KwaDwesi community grow!

Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa (09 February 2024) — Well-loved community champion non-profit ‘Love Story’ recently shared some exciting news taking root at the Khanyisa School for the Blind.

A fresh vegetable garden (affectionately known as a ‘Love Garden’) is set to give the KwaDwesi community more food security with the goal of becoming a hub for ingredients.

It will help serve the community soup kitchen and also give children at the school a chance to interact with nature in one of the most practical ways as they learn gardening and permaculture skills.

Love Story NPO are wonderfully active in various feeding activities in PE that include dispersing ingredients to and running soup kitchens, gifting families in need groceries through Buckets of Blessings as well as their Love Gardens and Love Sandwiches initiatives.

As the NPO shares, the Eastern Cape faces the highest number of social grants given to children under the age of 12 as they are below the poverty line. This, however, can mean only a ration of food a day.

By helping out from farm to table, they are slowly serving solutions!

Meanwhile, in other food garden news, Charity Begins With Me’s humble food garden has triumphed despite the challenges it faced, and CBWM is looking for colder-season vegetable seeds to start planning for winter. You can get involved with seed donations here. 

Sources: Love Story 

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post New ‘Love Garden’ at School for the Blind to Help a Community Grow  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

What started as a patch of overgrown wild grasses is today, a thriving food garden committed to feeding a community.

Johannesburg, South Africa (07 February 2024) – Since 2021, the Charity Begins With Me food garden has been a growing project that has taught many people, valuable lessons in growing food and given the charity access to “free” produce to share with children and families in need.

The food garden has faced its challenges, but is always a triumphant project for all involved. Children are able to take nutrient-dense foods home to share with their families. Currently, the garden is filled with an abundant supply of melons, corn and squash.

“Imagine trying to establish a vegetable garden big enough to feed an entire community when you don’t have any running water!!

We did it.

Well, sort of.

I am so proud of the hard work that we have put into this project.”

Charity Begins With Me’ started as a feeding scheme to feed children every Sunday. Founder Stephen Ferreira started by feeding 50 children, but it grew to more than 400 every Sunday over time. The non-profit has since grown into a fully-fledged organisation that supports and uplifts an entire community.

Stephan Ferreira was diagnosed with Leukemia several years ago now, but he refused to let the diagnosis destroy his life! Instead, he decided to spend the rest of his life dedicated to making the world a better place for the less fortunate. Stephen believes strongly in giving a hand up and not a handout.

This means that everyone that benefits from the charity’s work, gives back in one way or another. People can also volunteer for the charity, and the community is working hard to make a beautiful food garden.

The food garden has started thriving, but they are in need of colder-season vegetables to start planning their winter garden. Naturally, any seeds are welcome, but if you need some inspiration, take a look below. You can find out how to send seeds to the community food garden here.

Some examples of seeds you can donate that will go far are as follows:

• Swiss Chard
• Cabbage
• Pumpkins
• Carrots
• Peas
• Beetroot
• Onions
• Garlic
• Turnips
• Spring Onions
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Radish

Sources: Charity Begins With Me

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Food Garden for Community Project Thrives in Joburg appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Millions of South Africans go to bed either hungry or malnourished; these organisations are making sure families have at least one good meal to get by.

South Africa (28 January 2024) – Feeding schemes and organisations come and go in South Africa as funding is found or dried out. Sadly, over the years, our charity list related to a single meal or huge food parcels has dwindled, and this year, it is the smallest yet – BUT there are still organisations filling the hunger gap, making sure people have food to eat.

If we have missed an organisation or charity, please email tyler@goodthingsguy.com and we will add it soonest; kindly supply the relevant links as well as which province they work in, the NPO/NGO/NPC registration details and a brief description of what the organisation does.

Please note that this is a working list, so keep sending through your charities, and we will keep adding them!

South Africa

• Feed the Nation SA – Website / Facebook
• FoodForward SA – Website / Facebook
• Gift of the Givers – Website / Facebook
• Meals on Wheels – Website / Facebook
• Mould Empower Serve (MES) – Website / Facebook
• Operation Hunger – Website / Facebook

Eastern Cape

• Healing Hands Foundation (Working in Gqeberha and Nelson Mandela Bay) – Facebook
• Love Story (Working in Port Elizabeth) – Website / Facebook
• SVDP St Vincent de Paul Society (Working in Port Elizabeth) – Facebook

Gauteng

• Charity Begins With Me (Working in Johannesburg North) – Facebook
• Daily Bread Org (Working in Fourways) – Facebook
• Doorway to Dignity (Working in Randburg) – Website / Facebook
• Healing Waters Foundation (Working in Johannesburg) – Website / Facebook
• Kindness Like Confetti (Working in Johannesburg and Pretoria) – Facebook (JHB) / Facebook (PTA)
• Ladles of Love (Working in Gauteng) – Website / Facebook
• Nosh Food Rescue NPC (Working in Johannesburg) – Facebook
• One Small Act of Kindness (Working in Randburg, Johannesburg) – Facebook
• Sought Out Foundation (Working in Alexandra) – Facebook
• SVDP St Vincent de Paul Society (Working in Victory Park) – Facebook
• The Angel Network (Working throughout Johannesburg) – Website / Facebook.
• The Cradle of Hope (Working in Krugersdorp) – Website / Facebook
• The People’s Pantry (Working in Lorentzville) – Website / Facebook
• WAS Foundation (Working in Krugersdorp) – Facebook

KwaZulu-Natal

• Action in Isolation (Working in Midlands) – Website / Facebook
• The Angel Network KZN (Working in Durban) – Facebook

Northern Cape

• Ladles of Love (Working in the Northern Cape) – Website / Facebook

Western Cape

• Angel Wings Cape Town (Working in Cape Town) – Facebook
• HEART NPO (Working in the Drakenstein) – Facebook
• Ladles of Love (Working in the Cape Peninsula) – Website / Facebook
• Ndihluthi (Working in Western Cape) – Facebook
• RAM – Rescue Among Many (Working in Western Cape) – Facebook
• Service Dining Rooms (Working in Cape Town) – Website / Facebook
• Table View Angels (Working in Table View) – Facebook
• The Angel Network WC (Working in Western Cape) – Facebook
• The Hope Exchange (Working in Cape Town) – Website / Facebook

Sources: Various – Linked Above

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post These are the Organisations Making Sure Everyone Has A Meal to Eat appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Child welfare charities play a vital role in protecting children and babies in South Africa, making sure they are fed, cared for, clothed and loved.

South Africa (23 January 2024) – Thousands of people are working all hours of the day to make sure that South African children are protected. These are all the organisations we hope to support through 2024!

Child welfare is such a multi-faceted sphere which is why there are so many different kinds of organisations. Below, you will find orphanages, adoption pages, protection groups, and so much more! We are working on a separate list for educational groups so if you have one, please do send it along.

If we have missed an organisation or charity, please email tyler@goodthingsguy.com, and we will add it soonest; kindly supply the relevant links, which list you want to be added to, as well as which province the organisation works in, the NPO registration details and a brief description of what the organisation does.

Please note that this is a working list, so keep sending through your charities, and we will keep adding them!

South Africa

• ACVV National Council – Website / Facebook
• ABBA Adoption – Website / Facebook
• Care Protect Invest South Africa – Facebook
• Cotlands – Website / Facebook
• Courage Child Protection – Website / Facebook
• Footprints 4 Sam – Website / Facebook
• Girls And Boys Town – Website / Facebook
• LIV Village – Website
• National Association of Child Care Workers – Website / Facebook
• Project Dignity – Website / Facebook
• Samaritan’s Feet – Website / Facebook
• Santa Shoebox Project – Website / Facebook
• SOS Africa Children’s Charity – Website / Facebook
• SOS Children’s Villages – Website / Facebook
• StreetSmart South Africa – Website / Facebook
• The Baby Box Project – Website / Facebook
• The South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR) – Website / Facebook
• The Grace Factory (Working in Durban, Johannesburg, Vaal Triangle and Cape Town) – Website / Facebook
• Toy Run – Website / Facebook
• Yes4Youth – Website / Facebook

Eastern Cape

• African Solutions to African Problems (ASAP) (Working in Zitapile Village) – Website / Facebook
• Eyabantwana Trust (Working in East London) – Facebook
• Marist Mercy Care South Africa (Working in Addo) – Website / Facebook
• Missionvale Care Centre (Working in Port Elizabeth) – Website / Facebook
• Youth Potential South Africa – YOUPSA (Working in Gamtoos Valley) – Website / Facebook

Gauteng

• ACFS Community Education and Feeding Scheme (Working in Johannesburg) – Website / Facebook
• ArkStar Kidz Club (Working in Walkerville) – Website / Facebook
• Boikanyo – The Dion Herson Foundation (Working in Gauteng) – Website / Facebook
• Botshabelo (Working in Midrand) – Website / Facebook
• Charity Begins With Me (Working in Johannesburg) – Facebook
• Door of Hope (Working in Johannesburg) – Website / Facebook
• Hearts of Hope (Working in Johannesburg) – Website / Facebook
• Hopelands Village (Working in Magaliesburg) – Website / Facebook
• Hotel Hope (Working in Johannesburg) – Website / Facebook
• Impilo Child Protection and Adoption (Working in Johannesburg) – Website / Facebook
• Ingelosi Foundation (Working in Johannesburg) – Website / Facebook
• Johannesburg Children’s Home (Working in Johannesburg) – Website / Facebook
• Joburg Child Welfare (Working in Johannesburg) – Website / Facebook
• Just In Time Baby Sanctuary ( Working in Randfontein) Website / Facebook
• Kids Haven (Working in Benoni) – Website / Facebook
• Princess Alice (Working in Johannesburg) – Website / Facebook
• SA Cares for Life (Working in Pretoria) – Website / Facebook
• Seeds of Africa (Working in Mulderdrift) – Website / Facebook
• The Character Company (Working in Krugersdorp) – Facebook
• The Maletsatsi Foundation (Working in Midrand) – Website / Facebook
• The Winnie Mabaso Foundation (Working in Johannesburg) – Website 

KwaZulu-Natal

• Angels’ Care Centre (Working in Howick) – Website / Facebook
• Build The Future (Working in Ndwedwe) – Website / Facebook
• Dlalanathi (Working in Pietermaritzburg) – Website / Facebook
• Give a Child a Family (Working in Margate) – Website / Facebook
• Izulu Orphan Projects (Working in Zululand) – Facebook
• Operation Bobbi Bear (Working in Amanzimtoti) – Website / Facebook
• Thandanani Children’s Foundation (Working in Pietermaritzburg) – Website
• The Baby Home (Working in Durban North) – Website / Facebook
• Umduduzi – Hospice Care for Children (Working in KwaZulu-Natal) – Website / Facebook
• Zero2Five Trust (Working in eThekwini KwaZulu-Natal and Surrounds) – Website / Facebook

Limpopo

• Eco Children (Working in Hoedspruit) – Website

Mpumalanga

• Grace Baby Haven (Working in Mbombela) – Facebook
• Pediatric Care Africa (Working in White River) – Facebook

Northern Cape

• Inspire Children and Youth (Working in Middelpos farm) – Website / Facebook

Western Cape

• Afrika Tikkun (Working in Gauteng and Western Cape) – Website
• Badisa TRIO (Working in Kraaifontein) – Website / Facebook
• Badisa (Working in Bellville) – Website / Facebook
• Bless-a-Baby (Working in Western Cape) – Website
• Boost Africa Foundation (Working in Killarney Gardens) – Website / Facebook
• Children’s Book Network (Working in Overberg) – Website / Facebook
• Distance For Difference (Working in Somerset West) – Website / Facebook
• The Justice Desk (Working in Khayelitsha and Nyanga, Western Cape) – Website / Facebook
• Flow Foundation SA (Working in Claremont) – Website / Facebook
• George Child and Family Welfare (Working in George) – Website / Facebook
• Heartlands Baby Sanctuary (Working in Somerset West) – Website / Facebook
• Heart to Heart Care Centre (Working in Mossel Bay) – Website / Facebook
• Heavenly Haven (Working in Mossel Bay, Great Brak River) – Website / Facebook
• Hermanus Child & Family Services (Working in Hermanus) – Website / Facebook
• Home From Home (Working in Western Cape) – Website / Facebook
• Imbali Western Cape (Working in Paarl) – Website
• Isabelo (Working in Franschoek) – Website / Facebook
• Kin Culture (Working in Cape Town and the Garden Route) – Website / Facebook
• Leliebloem (Working in Crawford) – Website / Facebook
• Life Community Services (Working in George) – Website / Facebook
• Little Lambs (Working in Dunoon) – Facebook
• Mamas Pay It Forward (Working in Cape Town) – Facebook
• Masikule (Working in Helderberg) – Website
• MercyAIDS (Working in Durbanville) – Website / Facebook
• Michelle Davids Foundation (Working in Lavender Hill) – Facebook
• Newborn Trust (Working in Cape Town) – Website / Facebook
• Orphan Care Foundation (Working in Westlake) – Website / Facebook
• Paedspal Paediatric Palliative Care (Working in Cape Town) – Website
• Patch – Helderberg Child Abuse Centre (Working in Helderberg) – Website
• Pebbles Project (Working in Western Cape) – Website / Facebook
• The Bhabhisana Baby Project (Working in Western Cape) – Facebook
• The Zoe Project (Working in Western Cape) – Website / Facebook
• Support Orphans in Southern Africa (Working in Western Cape) – Website / Facebook
• Sparking Minds (Working in Knysna) – Website / Facebook
• The Parent Centre (Working throughout Western Cape) – Website / Facebook
• Tiny Owl Baby Home (Working in Durbanville) – Website / Facebook
• Ukama Community Foundation (Working in Vrygrond) – Facebook

Sources: Various – Linked Above

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Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Children Are Our Future, These Charities Are Making Sure They Get There! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Charity Begins With Me is collecting previously-loved stationery for children in need, they are testing, sharpening and sorting everything so that children in need can go to school with their very own supplies.

Johannesburg, South Africa (03 January 2024) – At the end of each school year, when pencil cases are unloaded from tired school bags and the thought of homework goes right out the window, a difference can be made. As parents start adding new stationery to their shopping carts to help young ones tackle the new school year, those older used pens, pencils and colourful markers can be sent to Charity Begins With Me, where they are sorted and given to children who need stationary for school but cannot afford it.

Charity Begins With Me collects every kind of stationery item, makes sure it’s in working condition, cleans up any messy bits, sharpens the edges and sorts them so that the children that frequent its feeding programme, can select all the colours their hearts desire.

Stationery doesn’t have to be brand new to make a difference in a child’s life. Thousands of used pens and pencils are making a difference to the children of Northern Johannesburg.

The Charity Begins With Me organisation has added thousands of pens, pencils and colourful art tools, like crayons, pastels and markers to its collection but they always need more so that each child can select several options.

Stephen and his team of dedicated volunteers welcome donations of stationery and any items the youth may find useful.

The best part is that school students who want to get a head-start on collecting their volunteering hours can do so by donating their old stationery.

“This year we are starting early with Angel Hours / Community Engagement Hours for school.

For every 2 x ice cream containers you fill with old pens, pencils, and crayons we will sign off on 1 x hour.

Items donated does not need to be sorted or cleaned.”

To get involved, check out Charity Begins With Me on Facebook here.

Sources: Charity Begins with Me

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Previously-Loved Stationery Gets Cleaned Up for Children in Need appeared first on Good Things Guy.

In the heart of Johannesburg’s Bryanston suburb, “Mrs Claus” transforms Moray Drive into a radiant wonderland every Christmas, spreading joy, unity, and magic throughout the community with her dazzling 18-year tradition of creating a festive spectacle for all to enjoy.

Johannesburg, South Africa (12 December 2023) – In the bustling city of Johannesburg, in the middle of the urban sprawl and daily grind, there’s a street that transforms into a magical wonderland every Christmas season.

Moray Drive, once just another suburban road, epitomises Christmas’s festive spirit and enduring magic. And at the centre of it all is the heart and soul of Moray Drive’s enchanting holiday display — the one and only “Mrs Claus.”

Danielle Goff, the angel of Moray Drive recently sat down with Good Things Guy to share how she became the beloved Mrs Claus. Originally hailing from Cape Town and growing up in challenging circumstances, Christmas held a special place in her heart. It was the time when magic unfolded, and she experienced the joy of receiving gifts and new clothes while surrounded by cousins and family, strolling down the iconic Adderley Street. Her journey took a turn when she moved to Johannesburg, where the city lights of Rissik Street and Joubert Park became the new focal points of her Christmas celebrations. However, it wasn’t until she and her husband settled in Bryanston that Mrs Claus discovered her true passion for bringing Christmas to life.

Bryanston, typically quiet during December, transforms into a radiant display of lights and decorations, all thanks to Mrs Claus.

In her 18th year as the festive matriarch, she shared, “I literally eat, drink, sleep Christmas.”

Her home becomes a festive haven adorned with decorations meticulously curated according to a theme. The process begins in mid-October, and for five weeks, from 8 am to 6 pm, Mrs Claus dedicates herself to creating a dazzling spectacle.

Despite the hard labour involved, she proudly declares, “I am very proud to be part of this community and a South African because my decorations are treated with respect.”

What started as a personal endeavour has evolved into a community affair. Mrs Claus’s dedication to her craft has transformed Moray Drive into a street of unity and joy. Hosting carol events and charity fundraisers, the community gathers to celebrate the magic of Christmas. Her collection has grown so vast that her husband converted the garage attic into a storeroom.

As visitors flock to Moray Drive, Mrs Claus gets to meet incredible individuals, witnessing the joy on their faces as they marvel at the festive display.

“I love being outside and watching people take photos, young and old. It’s a magical way of bringing the community together,” she shares. Mrs Claus takes pride in creating a space where children facing severe challenges can enjoy the magic without judgment or crowds.

Mrs Claus’s generosity extends beyond her decorations. She reads every letter to Santa from her five letterboxes, each holding heartfelt wishes and touching stories.

“If you can make one person smile, then that is all I need,” she expresses, reflecting on the positive impact her efforts have had on those who have lost loved ones or faced challenges.

Moray Drive truly brings the Christmas spirit to life, embodying Mrs Claus’s values of Christ, community, compassion, caring, children, carols, and, of course, Christmas. Her decorations, including a day-version story with a nativity scene, sleigh, and the beloved Grinch, have garnered international acclaim. Mrs Claus loves everything about Christmas, describing it as “happy, sparkly, and magical.” After 18 years, she feels like a fine red wine, getting better with time. Her best, she believes, is yet to come.

To celebrate her 18th Jubilee, Mrs Claus is hosting a grand event this weekend. A motorcade of cars adorned with fairy lights will dance and party in the street, inviting everyone to join in the festive fun.

“All my visitors think that I am making them so happy, but they don’t actually realise the joy I get from them,” Mrs Claus shares.

To visit Mrs Claus and her epic display, just head on down to Moray Drive in Bryanston this festive season.

Sources: Interview with Mrs Claus 

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Bringing Joy to Joburg: The Heartwarming Tale of Mrs Claus! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Stephen Ferreira from Charity Begins With Me has been planning the annual Township Christmas party since late September, and preparing to give 1,500 children, a party to remember!

Johannesburg, South Africa (23 November 2023) – Christmas is not so far away, and organisations working towards gifting people gifts are now rallying supporters and volunteers to prepare for the events. Charity Begins With Me gives children a gift bag filled with books, sweeties, a toy, and a clothing item each year and prep for this year’s event is under way.

Stephen Ferreira started ‘Charity Begins With Me‘ shortly after he was first diagnosed with cancer in 2016. He realised he could do so much more with the life he had left and quickly set up the charity as a way to give back. He ran the charity throughout his chemotherapy treatments, remission and, sadly, his relapse. Whatever battles he faces in his own life, it is those of others that give him the strength to push through.

He explained that preparing for the charity’s annual party takes around three months to prepare and many helping hands.

This year, Stephen is expecting a staggering 1,500 children to show up for the annual Christmas party. That means he needs to have enough to give each child a special gift alongside a filling meal. The Charity has been collecting various items which go into the gift bags.

They usually need the following so if you have these items at home, reach out to Stephen and help make his planning go faster.

• Large gift bags
• Sweets (Jelly beans, Wine Gums, Lollipops, Sour worms, Marshmallows, Liquorice All Sorts, Rascals, Mints, Jelly tots, Fruit Pastilles, Mentos – unfortunately, no chocolate as it melts beforehand)
• Age appropriate books
• Wrapping paper
• Second-hand or new toys
• Second-hand or new clothing items
• Apples, Bananas, Oranges and Sandwiches (individual ingredients welcomed too).
• Oros
• And helping hands will make packing go much faster.

All drop offs are in Fairland, JHB and only between 17h00 and 19h00 on the following days:

• 28 November 2023 (Tuesday)
• 30 November 2023 (Thursday)
• 1 December 2023 (Friday)

Please make arrangements to drop off the day before. You can grab Stephen’s contact details via the charity page here.

Sources: Charity Begins With Me

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Let the Planning Begin – Christmas Party for 1,500 Children is On the Go! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Shayibu’s hard work has been paying off these past few months and now his family have their kitchen fully kitted thanks to a new microwave that was sent to the handyman.

Johannesburg, South Africa (10 October 2023) – In late September we shared the heartwarming story of how handyman Shayibu had saved all he could to buy his family, their first-ever fridge. With the purchase done, he set his sights on the next goal, a microwave.

Charity Begins With Me shared Shayibu’s inspiring story in the hope of helping him find more work. More work meant more opportunities for him to save up money to make big-ticket purchases. Stephen Ferreira from the charity had shared an appreciation post regarding Shayibu’s work ethic and encouraged people to reach out to offer him odd jobs.

When we saw the story, we knew it would inspire so many of you! Who doesn’t love seeing people work hard towards their dreams and goals, and celebrating when they reach them?

What we had hoped, was that it would help Shayibu reach a wider audience and find more work, but also that it would inspire many of you to go after your own dreams. What we never imagined was that the story would be seen by Hisense and inspire them to get involved.

They saw how hard Shayibu had worked and that his next goal was to purchase a microwave, so to honour his dedication to his goals, they reached out to Good Things Guy to find out if they could help. We connected the team with Stephan who was over the moon that Shayibu would be getting such a wonderful gift, a brand new microwave.

We waited with bated breath for the day the microwave would arrive and it has finally happened!

“He was so excited today and must have said “Thank you” about 2000 times.

Thank you so much to Henru from Hisense, for making this possible!! We are beyond grateful!!” – Stephan Ferreira

Hard work pays off! Kindness always comes around and good people, they always help us all shine a little brighter.

You can find all of Shayibu’s details and references on the Charity Begins With Me Facebook post here if you are looking for a handyman in Northern Johannesburg.

Sources: Good Things Guy – Charity Begins With Me

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Handyman’s Dream a Reality Thanks to a Surprise Microwave appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Over 1,000 second-hand books for children, teens and young adults will find renewed life this festive season as Charity Begins With Me launches its annual book gifting campaign.

Johannesburg, South Africa (03 October 2023) – Christmas is not so far away (we see you 11 weeks!), and organisations working towards gifting people gifts are now rallying supporters and volunteers to prepare for the events. Charity Begins With Me gives children books as gifts each year to encourage reading and a love of books.

Each year, the organisation works towards gifting thousands of books. Reading is an essential part of learning, but many children only ever read when they are in the classroom. Stephen Ferreira has started collecting children’s books to help nurture a love of reading in the community he is working to uplift.

The books give children the opportunity to read outside of school, so they can develop a love of it instead of feeling like it is work. Reading offers a great escape as well as opportunities to sit with loved ones and explore the pages of a book together.

Each year, he focuses on collecting children’s books that are wrapped and gifts those. The public always plays a pivotal role in this process, whether donating books, wrapping paper or other gifting supplies, or by donating time to help wrap the books that get sent in.

It is simple to get involved so here is how:

• Collections will run until the 30th of October 2023.
• Please don’t use fancy ribbons. These might look pretty, but makes packing extremely difficult.
• Please include a small sticker at the back of the book to indicate whether this is for a boy/girl and the approximate age group. Please do not use PostIt notes, as these fall off easily. If you do not have stickers use a piece of paper and sellotape.
• Make sure your books are clean with no missing pages or writing on the pages. We want to make sure this is a special treat for the kids, and it won’t be fun if they get a worn-out old book.
• Please do not include any special messages inside the book.
• We can also use books for teenagers, but please make sure the content is appropriate. No adult themes, please. (You can also donate adult books for our next book sale fundraiser).
• If you are unsure, rather contact me and ask before you wrap.
• If you are too lazy to wrap but want to donate wrapping paper or sellotape, you are also most welcome to.

You can find all the details to get involved here.

Sources: Charity Begins with Me

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Second-Hand Books Are Finding New Life Again this Festive Season appeared first on Good Things Guy.