Pinetown-based charity brightens lives of children in need

TO continue with their work of serving, Ukuphila Okuthinta NPO is appealing to the community for support. Founded in 2018, the Pinetown-based organisation was founded with the aim to lend a helping hand to underprivileged schoolgoing children in communities across Durban.

“We are a community organisation that focuses on underprivileged children for school uniform and stationery; we also sponsor grocery hampers to families in the communities. Furthermore, we have many other community projects planned with the aim of putting smiles on children’s faces and food on tables,” said Ukuphila Okuthinta chairperson Charmaine Hansraj.

Also read: SPAR women’s race opens doors for charity

One of the organisation’s main goals is to donate school uniforms, stationery, sanitary pads and motivational workshops for children on hygiene and skills. Hansraj said the organisation has made great strides this year in their work, and this has fueled their work as they hope to do more.

“We distributed uniforms and stationery in February, and we also hosted a golf day which was part of our fundraising project on July 7. On Nelson Mandela Day, we distributed groceries to Uthando Safe House in Phoenix. For women’s month, we distributed toiletries and reusable and disposable sanitary pads and gave a motivational talk to the girls at a school in Inanda,” explained Hansraj.

With their most recent fundraising project, which was a market day in the Pinetown area, Hansraj said there was poor turn-up. “We also had a lucky draw competition which we had to cancel closer to the day because so few people participated. We could only carry on with the market day,” she said.

Also read: Charity for homeless appeals for support for winter drive

Chairmaine said support allows Ukuphila Okuthinta NPO to focus on the unique needs of the people they serve. “The resources we provide will make a difference transforming, improving and creating better lives for the families in our communities in a positive manner,” she said.

For more information on how to support the organisation, the community can visit Ukuphila Okuthinta NPO on Facebook or contact Charmaine Hansraj on 083 357 8475.

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