There was a sell-out entry of 13 355 athletes in this year’s Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge. Each entry contributed R5 to the race charity, iThemba Lethu from Manor Gardens. Ralph Rajagopaul, SPAR KZN’s marketing director, handed over a cheque to the value of R100 000 following the weekend event.

iThemba Lethu serves the greater Cato Manor community. The NPO, which began 25 years ago, cares for vulnerable children affected by poverty, crime and gender-based violence. Their priority is the future of children, transforming hardships into tales of hope.

The organisation has three proactive programmes. One is Destiny for Youth, which concentrates on life preparation, leadership and literacy for young people in Grades 4 – 12; they help learners discover and realise their full potential to empower them to have hope-filled futures.

Also read: iThemba Lethu restores hope within communities

Their second programme is their Transition Home, where iThemba Lethu cares for 12 abandoned / vulnerable little ones from newborn to three years old, championing the belief that early childhood is one of the most critical times in a human’s life. Their facilities, with full-time caretakers, provide a safe place to nurture these children as they usher in a new chapter in their forever families.

Decades ago, iThemba Lethu pioneered the first community ‘Breastmilk Bank’, critical to the nutrition of the babies in their care. There are few natural resources more important to human immunity and health than breastmilk. In partnership with the Department of Health, they collect and supply this vital resource.

For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here