Pre-teen finalist makes a difference
EAST London’s Miss Pre-Teen South Africa pageant finalist, Sinebango Cetywayo, touched the hearts of children when she donated 20 new books and posters to the Zamani Day care centre in Duncan Village last Wednesday.
Sinebango’s mother, Fezeka Cetywayo, said the outreach was the second leg of a charity work project for the Beaconhurst High School Grade 4 pupil. Sinebango recently also handed over food and treats to children fighting cancer at Frere Hospital.
“We saw a needy day care centre and we wanted to help. She always stresses to me the importance of reading and we thought donating books would be the best option as reading is closest to her heart.”
She said her family was looking forward to the actual pageant that will take place on April 3.
“She has been doing modelling since she was six years old but this will be her first time entering a pageant. It is scary and yet exciting.”
The day care centre which accommodates children from one to five years old, was established in 1995 and is based in a shack that leaks when it rains.
The centre’s deputy principal Isabel Quill accepted the donation with other educators. Quill said the centre had burnt down in 2015 and had to be rebuilt.
“We are more than grateful for this donation. We are dealing with children from disadvantaged families and it is heartwarming to see people wanting to donate and who care about these children’s education.”
She said the day care centre has 277 children and faces a number of challenges as there was a high crime rate in the community of Duncan Village.
“We’ve had numerous break-ins. People dump their rubbish outside the center and that poses a danger to our children’s health. We remain open here to kids with our educators and staff members every Monday to Friday to help with teaching and looking after the children.”
Principal Ncumisa Yoyo said they were grateful for any help and support, following the fire which destroyed the centre three years ago.