Santa Shoebox Project and Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora donates takkies

Hundreds of underprivileged children from Barcelona informal settlement in Etwatwa had joy and excitement written on their faces on March 1 as they eagerly lined up at the Friends of Martin de Porres Centre, accompanied by their parents, to receive brand-new takkies.

Thanks to the Santa Shoebox Project, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora, 200 needy children in the area received takkies.

Members of the two organisations spent their morning at the centre fitting the takkies to the children, ensuring the perfect size as they beamed with happiness.

Gail Wilson of the Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora said the motivation behind the donation came after seeing a young boy at the centre’s soup kitchen wearing a flip-flop on one foot and a croc on the other.

“That picture touched our members deeply, prompting them to take action,” she said.

Margie Kostelac of the Santa Shoebox Project explained the idea of collaborating with Rotary was born after a conversation with Grace van Zyl, the Rotary district governor-elect.

“Upon learning about Rotary’s ongoing shoe drive, the Santa Shoebox Project decided to assist after receiving a generous donation of takkies from a benefactor. This donation is not just about giving shoes; it is about showing these children they are cared for and valued,” said Kostelac.

Rotary Club president Garth Smithard emphasised the long-term impact of the initiative.

“This donation ensures children can walk to and from school in proper shoes that will last them a long time. We have seen cases where children cut off the front of their shoes to make them fit. This initiative aims to change that,” said Smithard.

Wilson highlighted Rotary has allocated R50 000 towards this shoe drive, a significant contribution that will allow them to extend their generosity to another organisation in collaboration with the Santa Shoebox Project.

Expressing gratitude for the heart-warming donation, Ligia da Silva, of Friends of Martin de Porres, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting destitute women and children in Barcelona, said: “We are grateful for the children.”

• The Santa Shoebox Project has a long-standing legacy of making a difference in children’s lives.
Since its inception in 2006, the organisation has distributed over 1.2 million Christmas gifts to underprivileged children in educational and care facilities across South Africa and Namibia. The NPO continues to expand its reach by establishing and transforming Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, ensuring they meet the Department of Education’s registration requirements.
Additionally, the organisation provides training to ECD practitioners to support children’s developmental milestones.

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