Turning 13 is a pretty being deal and TikTok parties are all the rage.
But Leah Cupido is not interested in a big bash. Instead the big-hearted tween wants to celebrate her 13th birthday on Saturday with something special for abandoned babies.
Speaking to the Weekend Argus from her home in Bay View, Mitchells Plain, Leah explained that she loved helping others.
“I came across Hannah’s Place of Safety when I was busy with a school project. Something just hit me, that I want to help these babies.
“So I messaged them and asked if I could volunteer, but then learnt that I have to be 18 to be a volunteer.”
But this did not discourage Leah because her heart and mind were made up. She wanted to help.
“I then told them that its my birthday soon and I still wanted to help by doing a nappy drive.
“ I wanted to bring the babies joy, I’ve had enough birthday parties…”
Leah’s mom Cheryl Cupido said that she was so overwhelmed with emotion when her daughter approached her with her idea.
“Leah already started to spread the word at her school and received donations. I am so proud of her honestly.”
Leah, who wants to be a doctor or a nurse one day, chimed in politely: “My parents always told me that there are children who don't have and who are less fortunate, and I saw this at Hannah’s Place, that is why I need to do this.”
Leah, who was a premature baby, will be handing over the boxes of donations on World Premature Day.
Cheryl added: “It’s like it’s meant to be this way. You never really understand the need until you’ve seen or been through it yourself.”
As for Leah, she doesn't want gifts this year: “I want to gift to the less fortunate’.”
Janine Fabe, who manages Hannah’s Place, started the safe house with her husband Dion in 2016, after adopting a baby girl who they named Hannah.
Fabe told the Weekend Argus that when she received Leah’s message, it took her back to the way she had felt when volunteering at another local orphanage, the Christine Revell Children’s Home. The place from where the Fabe’s adopted Hannah.
Fabe said: “She wanted to volunteer but she has to be 18. I however did not want to crush her spirit of helping so I also explained to her that there are many other ways to still be involved, and that’s when she came up with this idea for her birthday.”
Fabe added that they had decided to make Leah, Hannah’s Place first junior ambassador.
“Leah is just an amazing child, her heart, at such a young age, you can feel is for children and this is also thanks to the way she was raised.
“She speaks a language of love and giving, and with her story and her being an ambassador we want to encourage young children to also make a difference because they can! Leah is proof.”
Anyone who still wants to donate can contact Cheryl on: 082 460 9121.