A rural Tsolo school has been inundated with offers of help after the Daily Dispatch highlighted the plight of pupils who do not have school uniforms.
Out of desperation, teachers from Lower Esinxanku Junior Secondary School (JSS) wrote letters asking the public for donations to buy uniforms for pupils.
Due to high poverty and unemployment in the area, social grant pay-outs are used by families to buy food and pupils often attend classes wearing boots, torn shoes or takkies.
The school has received help from learner support agent Zolani Mbizo, who distributes the letters between Maclear, Mthatha and Tsolo.
Yesterday, school principal Linda Qayiyana-Banjwa said they had received an outpouring of support from individuals, businesses, other schools and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The offers of help ranged from the supply of school uniforms and toys to second-hand clothes and food parcels.
The Sizwe Kupelo Foundation (SKF), which has joined hands with ZamaZondo Construction, donated up to 80 pairs of school shoes and uniforms to pupils.
SKF has since 2008 brought hope to more than 7000 top performing pupils through bursaries and donated tablets and school uniforms.
Buffalo Toyota in East London has also pledged assistance. Sales executive Lwandy Ngebe said she grew up in Tsolo and had first-hand experience of the pupils’ plight.
“I understand exactly what they are going through as I am from Tsolo. I decided that I will personally assist 13 young girls with school material support and other basic items as a way of giving back to my community and to encourage them to stay in school as it is the only way they can develop themselves.
“My managers have pledged to assist 29 boys as part of our corporate social investment to promote education by supporting school children from needy families,” said Ngebe.
Qayiyana-Banjwa said they had received offers of support from other areas. “We were also touched after pupils from Maclear High School volunteered their own clothes that our children can use at home or when going to church.
“As young as they are, they have shown compassion. We thank everyone involved,” she said. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
Help pours in to give children uniforms
Out of desperation, teachers from Lower Esinxanku Junior Secondary School (JSS) wrote letters asking the public for donations to buy uniforms for pupils.
Due to high poverty and unemployment in the area, social grant pay-outs are used by families to buy food and pupils often attend classes wearing boots, torn shoes or takkies.
The school has received help from learner support agent Zolani Mbizo, who distributes the letters between Maclear, Mthatha and Tsolo.
Yesterday, school principal Linda Qayiyana-Banjwa said they had received an outpouring of support from individuals, businesses, other schools and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The offers of help ranged from the supply of school uniforms and toys to second-hand clothes and food parcels.
The Sizwe Kupelo Foundation (SKF), which has joined hands with ZamaZondo Construction, donated up to 80 pairs of school shoes and uniforms to pupils.
SKF has since 2008 brought hope to more than 7000 top performing pupils through bursaries and donated tablets and school uniforms.
Buffalo Toyota in East London has also pledged assistance. Sales executive Lwandy Ngebe said she grew up in Tsolo and had first-hand experience of the pupils’ plight.
“I understand exactly what they are going through as I am from Tsolo. I decided that I will personally assist 13 young girls with school material support and other basic items as a way of giving back to my community and to encourage them to stay in school as it is the only way they can develop themselves.
“My managers have pledged to assist 29 boys as part of our corporate social investment to promote education by supporting school children from needy families,” said Ngebe.
Qayiyana-Banjwa said they had received offers of support from other areas. “We were also touched after pupils from Maclear High School volunteered their own clothes that our children can use at home or when going to church.
“As young as they are, they have shown compassion. We thank everyone involved,” she said. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
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