Santa brings joy to struggling families in Touws River this Christmas

Santa arrived in Touws River to spread festive cheer, laughter and hope as one of the largest humanitarian distributions in the town’s history brought Christmas joy to hundreds of struggling families.

With the sound of excited children filling the streets, Gift of the Givers teams distributed 520 food parcels alongside 1,200 Christmas presents and party packs. In total, 419 families received hampers packed with non-perishable food items designed to last beyond the festive season, as well as 2kg of chicken per household, a vital lifeline for families who would otherwise not have been able to afford meat at Christmas.

Touws River has faced ongoing hardship since the Covid-19 pandemic, with record levels of unemployment and many residents still struggling to recover financially. The ongoing economic strain has forced extended families to live together, often with grandparents, parents and children sharing a single dwelling while trying to survive on limited income.

Rashaad Baker, chairperson of Compassionate Hearts, an NPO based in Touws River, said the reality for many families is one of overcrowding and constant financial pressure.

“The elderly, grandparents and most children are staying together, with whole families living in one house,” Baker said. “Their pay can only go so far, and this gives them a break.”

He said the emotional response from beneficiaries highlighted just how much the support meant to the community. “People were very, very grateful. Some of them were crying,” he said. “It really meant a lot to them.”

Baker explained that while the festive season is already difficult, many families are also anxious about the months ahead.

“January is a worry because of school fees and stationery,” he said, adding that the hampers provided much-needed relief at a time when household budgets are already stretched to the limit.

For many families, the inclusion of chicken in the hampers made a significant difference. “Some of them won’t have money to buy meat over Christmas, so this was greatly needed,” Baker said.

The impact on children was particularly heart-warming. Baker said some children approached organisers to say this was the first time they had ever received Christmas presents. “And to top it off, they received a sweetie and a toy,” he said.

The excitement among children was immediate and infectious.

“They couldn’t even wait, they started playing with the toys straight away,” Baker said. “Yesterday the excitement was indescribable.”

Children shared and compared their gifts, swapping toys and playing together in the streets. Scenes of joy unfolded as Barbie dolls and other toys were unwrapped, with children screaming, shouting and laughing as they showed one another what they had received. “They took chances to play with one another’s gifts,” Baker said. “The children were so grateful.”

The Christmas initiative was made possible through the generosity of Max TV from the Netherlands, which sponsored both the food parcels and the gifts. The support forms part of an ongoing relationship with the community that has extended beyond emergency relief.

Gift of the Givers said they will continue to support a local feeding centre in Touws River that was established during the pandemic and has since become a beacon of hope for vulnerable residents. 

The centre currently provides more than 1,000 meals every second day, ensuring that families in need are not left behind.

A new kitchen facility equipped with solar panels also sponsored by Max TV and the people of the Netherlands following their previous visit to the town has further strengthened the sustainability of the feeding programme.

As Santa made his way through Touws River, the initiative stood as a powerful reminder that compassion and generosity can restore dignity and joy and that for many children, this Christmas will be remembered as the first time festive cheer truly arrived at their doorstep.