No more barefooted Mams kids as benefactor donates shoes
“One of our employees from Mamelodi saw a need because children were walking barefoot, some with broken shoes.”
No more walking barefoot or in worn-out shoes for Mamelodi children.
This after Thandanani drop-in centre, which takes care of underprivileged children, received a donation of 160 pairs of casual shoes from a donor who saw the children’s need.
Smiling faces were seen all around as children each received a pair of Crocs to help them through the winter.
“The shoes are symbolic of pride and give confidence to young learners knowing that they can walk in comfort, as opposed to barefoot,” the donor representative said while handing over their shoes.
He added shoes are also “a vital protection barrier between our children’s tiny soles and Africa’s rough roads”.
In winter the added health risk of walking around without shoes in the cold which could lead to illness is brought to bear on these kids.
Thabo Kgotsi of Thandanani said the generous donation came in a time of particular need.
“We are grateful for this support in the battle against poverty in our community.
“This should not be the first and last time but the beginning of a strong relationship for community uplifting programmes,” said Kgotsi.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we lived, it is what difference we have made in the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
Thandanani’s main focus is drug awareness and cleaning up the Mamelodi community, taking care of the homeless and drug addicts and reuniting them with their families while the drop-in centre is for children.
The centre opened for business in 2011 and kept the youth and children of Mamelodi busy and away from drugs and crime. The youth-driven, passionate and focused group of volunteers continued to strive for new and innovative ways to uplift their community to date.
Kgotsi said the centre battles poverty, unemployment, and drug and substance abuse that are ravaging the community.
The centre is open Mondays to Saturdays and pleads for more donations to keep going.
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