Windmill Casino helps abandoned babies

When Ncumisa Nokha, banqueting coordinator at Windmill Casino, arrives home after work, she knows to expect a lively mob in the form of her mother, sister, and nine foster siblings who live in their home. 

Nokha’s mother, Anna Molibeli, has run the Paballong Home of Safety in Bloemfontein for abused and abandoned children since 2003 inside the family home, resulting in these children – some of whom stay for years – becoming part of the family. “Our first baby was just a day old, and she stayed with us for five years until her mother had finished university and had employment.

“My mother is at home with the children full-time, and currently, we have an 11-month-old baby who requires care.”

At first, the Paballong Home aimed to help girls, but over the years, boys have also joined the family to prevent siblings from being separated. The oldest foster child is 18 years old and is in Grade 11. “She and her sister have lived with us for ten years. We help them with their school work, and they share clothes and chores,” Nokha explains. 

The Windmill Casino team donates groceries to Paballong Home of Safety in Bloemspruit, Bloemfontein. | Photo by Sun International

Nokha says the home survives on donations from various organisations and churches and contributions from her salary. Windmill Casino donated a 20-litre urn, paraffin, long-life milk, tinned food, washing powder, Jik, juice and some snacks for the youngsters. The donation was valued at R5 000.

Paballong works with police and social workers when taking in children. “Some of them have been raped and abused by friends and family members or have unfit mothers due to drugs and alcohol. These kids stay with us for a year until their home situation is stable. It is very sad when they leave, but we know they have to go back to their parents, and sometimes they allow them to visit us.”