Christmas is approaching, and I have a confession to make!

One of my favourite things about being a Dad is buying toys for Oliver and Finn. Half the fun is having an excuse to get them stuff I want to play with, too!

It is a special privilege to ask our kids what they want for Christmas and then be able to provide that.

But the most important thing for our children is not what we surround them with, the presents we wrap for them, or the activities and entertainment we provide.

What they need is someone FOR them. They need someone to love them.

During my trip to Eswatini in October, I learned about Shane*. This young boy grew up apart from his family after his parents passed away. He had grown increasingly angry and hurt and was struggling with life in our care program.

One of our fantastic social workers sat down with this young boy and asked him what he wanted.

He said, “I want to go home.” All he wanted was a mother or a father.

As parents, whenever our children are hurting, we always try to focus them on something that will distract them from the pain and the hurt they are feeling.

We all want to be loved. We all need to be loved. There is no distraction from that kind of loss and pain. We cannot ignore it.

Millions of vulnerable children have that same pain. The place where we can care for them and the things that we surround them with will not take away that trauma.

Only the love of a family can make them whole.

And I have good news. By supporting Bezulu TODAY, you can help give the gift of family to a child in need.

Shane is now home with his grandparents. With continued support from our team, he has been thriving in an environment where he has the love of family.

We can rebuild families, and we can restore hope.

Visit bezulu.org to learn how you can ensure children like Shane can receive the gift of family.

It’s the greatest thing we can give.

Merry Christmas from myself, Oliver, Finn, Nadine & Belle.

*Name changed.