Caring duo give poor kid dignity
TWO township youths have rolled up their sleeves to assist an impoverished pupil from a school in their community.
Unemployed social sciences graduate, Zamuxolo Rete, 27, and third-year quantity surveying student Bohlali Buzani, 20, handed over a school uniform to a sixyearGrade 1 pupil at Zukisa Primary yesterday morning.
The boy was spotted by the two friends when they were walking past the school and noticed he was dressed in ragged clothes.
“We were disturbed by what we saw and went inside to enquire about the child from the teachers who told us about his plight.
“He was abandoned by his mother from a young age and was being raised by the community while his father did piece jobs – but he has since been placed in the care of his father’s sister,” said Rete.
Buzani said they had discussed the plight of the boy and others with friends and they all decided to take part in fundraising initiatives to buy a school uniform and groceries for the boy and his family.
“We have registered a non-profit organisation, Project Khulisanani which means we must help each other growand we want to use the organisation to be a beacon of hope in the Mdantsane community.
“Local DJs jumped on board to host a street festival which we had the whole day on Saturday [last week], playing games and having fun with the young and the old in the community,” said Buzani.
The organisation has identified three neighbouring schools which it aims to assist.
Zukisa Primary School principal Noluthando Wulushe said she was “humbled” by the kind gesture. “We are teaching kids who are neglected by their parents and are raised by grandparents who do not have the strength to take care of them. It is wonderful to see children from the community offering to help.”
Their next event will be held on March 4 near the old shops in NU 1.