From the 14th to the 18th of July 2025, the Parkwood Hub came alive under the banner of ‘Love Parkwood.’ We hosted a holiday club that welcomed between 40 to 45 children each day. And thanks to the generous support of Boxer Store, which donated a R2500 voucher, we were able to provide meals and supplies that helped make the week not only possible but deeply impactful.
The week began with a Prayer Day on Monday, where our staff walked through our Parkwood building, lifting up the community in prayer. It was a powerful way to set the tone—reminding us that everything we do is grounded in our faith in Jesus.
On Tuesday, the holiday club officially kicked off. With the help of five passionate volunteers and two kitchen staff, we created a space where children could feel safe, seen, and celebrated. The theme of the week was simple yet profound: to show Parkwood love. Our mission was to reflect God’s love in every corner of the community, to be the light in a world that often feels dark.
As 1 Corinthians 16:14 reminds us: “Let all that you do be done in love.”
One of the most touching moments came when the children were invited to write their own love letters to Jesus. What followed was nothing short of beautiful. Their words were raw, honest, and filled with curiosity. Many began asking questions about faith, and several asked for prayer. It was a reminder that even the smallest hearts are capable of deep spiritual insight.
Friday was Mandela Day, and we embraced the spirit of giving with a special outreach. For 67 minutes, we turned our focus outward, aiming to feed the broader Parkwood community as a tangible expression of what we had learned in the week.
Together, we served:
- 200 children with warm, nourishing meals
- 170 cups of hot chocolate, thanks to our friends at Gangstar
- 170 delicious sandwiches, lovingly prepared by our partners at IIWC
It was a day of unity, generosity, and joy—a fitting end to a week that reminded us all of the power of love in action.
A story by Candice Lovelot, Parkwood Community Hub Coordinator
