Vulnerable children across the Lowveld will stay warmer this winter after Curro Nelspruit Primary School expanded its annual community outreach. Learners took the phrase ‘to walk a mile in their shoes’ to heart and managed to collect 1 010 pairs of shoes through May and June.

The drive aimed to ensure that vulnerable children in surrounding communities benefit from warmth and care to help get them through winter as comfortably as possible. Learners were encouraged to donate good-quality shoes that they no longer wear. The shoes were given to Sinani, a Christian-based non-profit organisation involved with communities throughout the Lowveld.

Curro Nelspruit Primary School handed the shoes over to Sinani, which handled the distribution process. Throughout winter, the shoes will reach vulnerable children, helping to keep their feet warm and spirits uplifted.

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Parent drives annual initiative

The initiative was facilitated by Ingeborg Christie, a mother of two at Curro Nelspruit. Christie became involved with Sinani during her counselling course in 2025. She also facilitated last year’s jacket drive.

“The jacket drive was a huge success and I wanted to continue it. I realised that we can’t ask the parents for jackets every year, so we opted for something that a lot of children go without, which brought us to deciding on shoes this year,” said Christie.

Christie is grateful to be part of the initiative and hopes to continue it annually, helping as many communities as possible.

“I want the pupils to see the difference they make and help them realise that we are in a fortunate position to help those around us,” she said.

To further encourage learners to donate as much as they are able to, Crossing Superspar also sponsored a pizza and cold drinks day for the top five classes that collected the most shoes, adding fun and motivation to the initiative.

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Handover brings Mandela Day cheer

The shoes were handed over to communities on Nelson Mandela Day on July 18. Sinani is grateful for everyone involved and thanks all for their contributions.

Sinani’s Zwelisha and Msholozi Life Centres were filled with the laughter of children and volunteers. They were blessed with age-appropriate gifts, delicious food and, most importantly, the joy of knowing they are seen, valued and loved.

“We are especially grateful to Indigo Fruit Farming for coming to serve at Zwelisha and The Manor Recovery Centre at Msholozi,” said Sinani communications director Phil Olckers.

Sinani also hosted a matric workshop to help Grade 12 learners navigate university applications. Octopi and TEVET helped make this possible, and for many of the learners, this guidance is life-changing and opens doors they never thought possible.

“It was wonderful to see the joy on both sides, the Curro learners excited to give, and our Sinani kids thrilled to receive their new shoes,” said Olckers.

For more information or to involve your company or school in a community initiative, contact Ingeborg Christie on 083 654 3262.

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