Local businessman donates school shoes
He decided to do something for the learner, but he ended up buying 54 brand new school shoes for the school.
A Nellmapius businessman donated 54 pairs of school shoes to Vukauzenzele primary school on Wednesday.
This came after he came across one of the school’s learners wearing torn school shoes. There and then he decided to help the child.
Mike Matseke from Nellmapius extension 3 said he wanted to do something for the learner, but ended up buying 54 brand new school shoes.
He said he could not stand it when he saw an innocent child going to school with torn school shoes.
“The school shoes will motivate the learners to look forward to going to school every day,” said Matseke.
Matseke said the aim of donating the school shoes is to encourage the learners to follow their dreams.
He said he also grew up in difficult circumstances and it was tough to go to school because his parents could not afford anything.
Matseke said he ended up failing to finish school and does not want to see a child going through the same thing.
He approached the child and took the parents’ contact details. He visited them and later visited the school.
“I realised there is a lot of need at the school after I have seen more children needed help,” said Matseke.
“We all come from different backgrounds. With Covid-19, many parents lost their jobs and could no longer take care of their children.”
Matseke bought the school shoes with money out of his own pocket.
He told the learners to always keep the shoes shiny.
Matseke said the school helped with identifying the needy children and got their shoe sizes.
He was proud to put a smile on learners’ faces and boosting their confidence.
“Children are the future leaders of this country and they will need all the support they can get to better their future.”
The principal of the school, Moses Mampye, said giving a child in need a pair of school shoes instils pride and encourage the learners to look forward to going to school every day.
“We have learners who come from poor backgrounds living at informal settlements that desperately need help,” said Mampye.
The teachers at the school also assist the learners where ever they can with school uniforms.
Mampye further said he also bought a learner school trousers after the child came to school wearing shorts while it was freezing cold on Monday.
“The generous donations will bring a big change and encourage them to focus and walk tall when they come to school,” said the principal.
He added that there is a lot that needs to be done at the school. Also it is winter and the learners desperately need warm school jerseys.
Matseke pleaded with local businessmen to help struggling learners within their different communities.
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