Sponsor a less fortunate child’s 2016 school uniform
'The children should not be worrying about how tattered their uniform is and how they look, but about keeping their nose in their books,’ – Tumelo Tshetlo
THE festive season is upon us, which has been coined ‘the season of giving.’
EXPRESS journalist and founder of Mentoring Empowering and Loving Others (MELO), Tumelo ‘Melo’ Tshetlo is urging community members to join in the spirit of giving by supporting her 2016 School Uniform Drive for the children at the Tembisa Child Welfare.
“There are 51 children from the welfare who are in need of uniforms for 2016. I am pleading with individuals and companies to sponsor just one child or even more if they can, with a full school uniform for next year,” said Tshetlo.
“MELO is a movement, set on spreading love across the townships of Ekurhuleni, South Africa and the world at large.
Through the organisation, the intention is to spread a message of hope through acts of giving, love and kindness.”
“There is nothing more rewarding than doing for the next person what they cannot do for themselves. There’s a reason why the Bible says ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive,” she added.
The Tembisa Child Welfare accommodates around 82 children, including babies and students attending university and other higher learning institutions.
The other project MELO is involved in includes ensuring that the welfare children receive all their Christmas wish lists.
“Thanks to the Edenvale Rotary Club each child will get the presents they asked for from Santa this year. As MELO, all the projects we are involved in are made possible through and with the help of organisations, businesses and individuals who open their hearts and we are truly thankful.”
Caxton East branch manager Christopher Mcinga sponsored two children with full uniforms for 2016 and even added vests for good measure.
“It’s the festive season, and in the spirit of giving I decided to be a part of this initiative. Christmas comes and goes, but education is a lifetime investment. Let’s invest in ensuring that these children focus on their education which is long-term,” said Mcinga.
“The primary motto of Rotary International is ‘service above self,’ the secondary motto is ‘one profits most who serves best. The motto for 2015/16 is ‘be a gift to the world,’ which says it all,” explained Niels Von Ekesparre from the Edenvale Rotary Club explaining why they had become involved in the School Uniform Drive.
‘Our greatest objective is to give back to the community and to help those in need.”
He pointed out that a Kempton Park Rotary Club satellite branch was in the pipelines.
“The children should not be worrying about how tattered their uniform is and how they look, but about keeping their nose in their books,” pointed out Tshetlo.
If you would like to sponsor a child or two you may email tumelot@caxton.co.za for more information.
