Sphiwe Mahlalela wanted to reach out to children in need for her 52nd birthday on January 13. Instead of receiving gifts or a message, she asked all her friends and family to donate a pair of school shoes.

Her aim is to collect 52 or more pairs of shoes that she wants to hand out to primary school children whose parents cannot afford it.

“I want to bless other people on my birthday. I am 52 and have received lots of flowers and gifts over the years, so this year I wanted to give instead of receive.

“I have observed parents in the community trying to balance all their finances, especially in January, which is often a long month for many people, not even to speak of child-headed households,” said Mahlalela.

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Mahlalela is grateful that she always has enough and thus wants to give back to the community.

“Change starts with us; we must stop being selfish and start doing. The love of Christ is about doing, not about just talking.”

Since Mahlalela started with this project, which she aims to complete at the end of January, she has already received 18 pairs of shoes and still needs 34 more in sizes six and smaller.

If you want to donate a pair of shoes, you can drop them off at Ridge Times’ office at Shop 6, The Junction, Louwrens Muller Street, Secunda.

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