Going extra mile for the children
BORN and bred in Mdantsane, Tabisa Loliwe is a woman with a purpose of changing the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Loliwe decided to establish her own registered foundation, the TeeLo Foundation, in March 2016 to help pupils by assisting them with their homework and by donating school essentials.
“I come from a very poor, mostly uneducated family and when I was growing up, I told myself that I want to be the one who breaks this cycle and be a university graduate.”
Loliwe said when she researched the reasons for the poor matric pass rate theEastern Cape province is suffering, she realised that pupils were taught in their mother tongue, isiXhosa, and then struggled to understand English instructions during examinations.
The foundation also donated school shoes to the pupils.
“I used to be mocked for going to school barefoot and I know how cruel children can be and how this affects one,” said Loliwe.
Loliwe has donated more than 300 school jerseys and shoes since 2016, and hundreds of sanitary pads to three Tsholomnqa schools: Gqala Primary School,Phozi Primary School and Xhamini Primary School, as well as Dyam-Dyam Primary School in Duncan Village.
“The foundation has a career exhibition in the pipeline aimed at Grade 9 pupils. I want to see neat, confident and motivated children who will help others to get good marks and be successful,” she said.
“There are other non-profit organisations that are making a difference in people’s lives, like Project Khulisanani. I am impressed by the dedication the young people are putting in to help change each other’s lives.
The TeeLo Foundation relies on donations from family members, friends, as well as social media platforms.
“Making a difference in people’s lives is my first love, helping and touching lives is what I do. I am hoping the matric pass rate will eventually improve and reach the top three in the country,” Loliwe said.