GONE are the days when poor kids from Veeplaas kasi in Port Elizabeth would go to school wearing takkies or gumboots.
On Monday, an organisation called Bayilam donated 100 school shoes to pupils at Funimfundo Primary School.
Nolitha Tshento, a member of the organisation, said: “One of our members, who is a traffic cop, was touched by pupils who went to school wearing takkies or gumboots.
“We decided to make a difference to the lives of these poor kids.
“We believe education is everybody’s responsibility.”
The organisation has been in existence for a year, but has already helped many kids around the Nelson Mandela Bay kasis.
“Our organisation has 12 members who are all employed. We managed to save money from our salaries to buy the shoes for the kids,” said Nolitha.
“We are donated the shoes because we wanted to show the kids that being poor is not the end of the world.”
Principal Kholeka Duna said the school was grateful to the organisation for helping the kids.
“I am so happy because the donation will motivate my kids to do well in their studies.
“Most our pupils are orphans, and some of them live with their gogos.
“Sometimes gogos keep their grandkids at home until they have shoes. This was affecting learning and teaching.”
Parent Neliswa Wayile (28) said: “Bayilam came at the right time, when parents had no money for stationery and full school uniforms.
“I am grateful to the organisation for helping our kids.”
