Bosasa’s deep penchant to invest in children is something of its hallmark. Partnering with the Operations Christmas Child (OCC) demonstrates this long standing resolve. The OCC needed a highly driven partner to deliver the Samaritan’s Purse. This was in a project that would be rolled out for children in poor township communities. What more deserving community to launch than Khutsong near Carletonville in the West Rand. Bosasa CEO, Gavin Watson and the founder of the OCC in South Africa, Evangelist Peter Segonyane, made it a personal mission to undertake. They gave out gifts and booklets to 400 children in Khutsong alone. Peter is also the National Coordinator of the OCC.

For a CEO of a group of companies to spend Sunday afternoon with children aged between 2 and 14 in the township is not a miracle. But it is indicative of the commitment he has made towards the project. In spite of the R65 000 Bosasa spent towards the printing of the booklets. And thousands more committed through staff deployed to work on this day. This showed that Gavin Watson has not only committed his company’s resources. But he has generously given of himself and taken the time to interact with the children and community in person.

Peter sums up his gratitude thus: “Gavin Watson has done something that nobody else has been able to do for us in the last three years. We’ve been praying and weeping to God for someone to come and assist us, someone who will be fully committed to the course. Gavin Watson came along and he has helped us a lot in terms of the material, and the questionnaires that have gone out”, says Peter Segonyane.

Peter sees investing in a child not as a loss but wisdom. He draws his insight from the scripture which states that when you train a child in the manner in which he must carry himself he will do so even when he’s older. Peter goes on to say, “We want to see a generation that will take care of this marvelous and beautiful country. We want to see the fear of God in our country. The churches must refocus their attention towards the children because that is where the future of our country lies.” His vision which in every respect matches that of Gavin Watson and Bosasa Youth Development Centres is to see an emerging generation that will fill the whole of South Africa with Jesus’s attitude and personality.

The Samaritan’s Purse is a global and formidable partner whose President and CEO is Franklin Graham. Franklin has devoted his life to meeting the needs of people around the world and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is the eldest son of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham. He also serves as President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. As an evangelist for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, he has led crusades around the world.

The Samaritan’s Purse mobilised American communities to make a selfless offering to South African children to a point that tons of gifts were sent in huge shipping containers. There were enough gift boxes to brighten up over 60 000 African children’s faces.