Reaching out to needy children

Tears of joy as Kusile donates sweaters

IN their pursuit to help others, Kusile Comprehensive School pupils and teachers recently donated knitted sweaters to children in two orphanages in their community of Duncan Village.

The donation was made possible by the school’s Interact Club which consists of 24 pupils and two teachers.

Physical sciences and life sciences teacher Babuji Achary, known to the community as “Mr

B”, said the club visits orphanages, old age homes, and hospitals to help them where they can.

He said the knitted sweaters were a donation from women from various churches in East London who knit.

“We visit places of need because we want to give the learners something when they leave the school. We teach them that they should not only care about themselves but care for others as well. That is a very important lesson to learn,” Achary said.

Agnes Ndarana, the caregiver of an orphanage home in East Bank called River of Life, cried tears of joy when she received the donation.

Ndarana said caring for children was a calling for her as she was also raised by a grandmother when her parents died, forcing her to begin working as a domestic worker from the age of 14.

“I am also an orphan, I know how painful it is to grow up without your parents. I know the pain of feeling rejected. I raise these children, some have grown up and have children and are working. We are grateful to the school. When we are short of food we call ‘Mr B’ and he always delivers and today they have come to ensure our children are warm this winter,” she said.

Another orphanage that received the donation was Enkazimulweni Ncedanani Life Care Centre .

“The club teaches us a lot about caring for others and showing respect,” a grade 11 pupil at the school, Zola Ndabeni said.

“It teaches our pupils who are also from this community a lot about responsibility and caring for others,” the school’s deputy principal, Sivuyile Sishuba said. “Now and again they would go out to the hospitals, orphanages, and old age homes to lend a helping hand.”

Achary said they also had a garden at the back of their school and they would sometimes cook food and deliver it to shelters.

“We don’t only visit places to help children, but old age homes as well, because we believe when someone is old they should not be ignored,” he said.

‘Now and again they would go out to the hospitals, orphanages and old age homes to lend a hand’