Pupils receive gift of love
Hotel employees fit kids with school uniforms, shoes
PASSION, willingness and determination are what it takes to make a lasting difference in people’s lives. For Xolani Ntese and his colleague Cleo Mosebetsi, the dream to see children remaining in school is what drives them to help disadvantaged primary school children.
The two ICC Premier Hotel employees, who have been working together for four years, soon realised they shared the same dream and partnered up.
Through their organisation, Dziya projects, the duo has donated school shoes and uniforms to their alma mater schools and Lujiza Primary School in Duncan Village for pupils in need. They said it was only the beginning. Mosebetsi, who originates from Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal, said helping others had been a lifelong dream of hers.
“It’s always been my dream to make a difference in people’s lives.”
Ntese said his own upbringing was what had compelled him to make a difference in other people’s lives. “I know what it’s like to be in want.” In 2015 the two agreed that for their first project they would donate school shoes to pupils in their former primary schools.
They bought 26 pairs of school shoes for Ntese’s Masakhe Primary School in Duncan Village, and 20 pairs for Mosebetsi’s Thembalihle Primary School in KwaZuluNatal.
Since then, they have helped a young girl from Lujiza Primary whose family had lost everything in a fire by buying her a full school uniform and stationery.
“That young girl’s story touched us, because her teachers told us how bright she was but had stopped coming to school because she didn’t have any uniform,” says Mosebetsi.
They have not received any outside financial assistance but have funded the purchases through their monthly salaries and tips from hotel guests.
“We do wish to eventually get assistance because it’s not easy relying on our salaries alone,” said Ntese. “But this is from our hearts. We simply want to help.”
The two have big plans for their organisation, and hope that by the end of 2017 they will have bought more shoes, uniform and other essentials for primary school pupils, and sanitary towels for young girls.
The ongoing plight of schoolgirls and sanitary towels is one that is close to their hearts.
“It’s 2017, but there are girls who still stay away from school because of their periods,” Ntese said.
Their main focus is on primary school pupils as they think the children are at the most critical stage of their education.
“There are so many bright pupils, and primary school is the foundation on which pupils futures are built on.
“Pupils won’t have confidence if their school shoes are worn out or their uniform is torn. Looking good gives them the confidence to go to school, focus and, excel without feeling shamed,” Ntese said.
Mosebetsi said they wanted to help where they can. “We can’t afford for pupils to be disturbed in their schooling simply because of a lack of uniform.”