An organisation dedicated to uplifting the underprivileged community in Mamelodi East held its second successful annual book covering campaign on February 16, covering books and textbooks for 580 learners from Mogale Primary School.

Chairperson of Tsalanang NPO Tshepo Ramoncha said the book covering campaign started earlier this year, when seven members from the organisation started covering books for learners who come from disadvantaged families.

“The book covering campaign is part of the Tsalanang’s Back to School campaign aimed at making sure that the schools and learners are ready to start a new curriculum,” said Ramoncha.

The campaign started last year by making its mark by covering books and donating school uniforms and shoes to underprivileged learners.

Ramoncha said the organisation aims to uplift the community and unemployed youth, and that it does this by making friends with the community, schools, youth, local organisations, and businesses.

“Our mission is to bring change within our community by helping disadvantaged families with food parcels and making sure schoolchildren have what they need to go to school,” said Ramoncha.

“The organisation was started after observing many families were struggling, children going to school with torn-apart school uniforms, some without uniforms, and the youth [were] slowly dying of drug abuse, HIV, and teenage pregnancies,” said Ramoncha.

The organisation also raises awareness about bullying and drugs at local schools, encouraging learners to focus on their dreams and not to be distracted by their unfortunate backgrounds and poverty.

School principal Sivuyile Twaisa thanked the organisation on behalf of the school and learners.

“Most of the parents are unemployed. Therefore, the school is struggling with several things in terms of running the school smoothly and implementing curriculum in the way it is expected,” said Twaisa.

Because some parents are unable to buy stationery, some of the staff sponsored the needed materials.

Twaisa said Tsalanang NPO came on board and volunteered to help with covering books for learners and also help with cleaning the school premises.

Ramoncha added that the organisation aims to bring hope to the community, and that it has lined up many activities that will uplift and give hope to the community it serves.

Tsalanang has also partnered with other local organisations in Mamelodi to help learners and other parts of the community.

He added that local councillor Collen Marishane also came on board, supplying a large lawnmower to help cut all the overgrown grass at the school.

Ramoncha concluded that the clean-up campaign was meant to promote learning in a healthy and clean environment.

Anyone who wishes to assist the organisation with any form of donations can contact Ramoncha at 076 712 7321.

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