SCHOOL SHOES PUT SMILES ON YOUNG FACES
AKOMANI businessman has embarked on a drive to collect school shoes and socks for needy children in schools around the Chris Hani district.
Thando Ng’obo of Salimisa Holdings, an environmental management company, has already distributed more than 1 000 pairs of school shoes since he started with the project.
Ng’obo said the idea was “planted in my heart” when he saw a child going to school wearing multiple pairs of socks as she did not have shoes.
“I tried to get more people on board but no one came along.
“I figured I would start the project and use my own money. So far we have distributed 1 087 pairs including 258 in Elliot while working with mayor Siyabulela Nxozi and the rest in the schools around Mlungisi,” Ng’obo said.
He would like people to come on board by buying shoes for children. He does not want any cash, but would rather that people invest time and money in buying the shoes themselves.
He said most of the beneficiaries were children, who received grants which were in turn misused by their parents.
His aim is to expand the project into a mentorship programme, which would include visiting a child over the weekends, to go through their school books, check their homework and motivate them to stay at school.
Call him on 072-159-9529.
The Rep would like to pledge its support to the shoe collection project. If you would like to contribute, please drop off school shoes at The Rep, 24 Prince Alfred Street in Komani and we will liaise with Thando.