A little winter warmth handed out at schools

A THOUSAND excited voices echoed thank you as bus loads of children heaved over their shoulders the blankets and food hampers that they received – just in time for winter.

The children, described as the “poorest of the poor” from 80 schools in Phoenix and surrounding areas, were part of the Gift of the Givers’ and Phoenix Poverty Reduction Association’s Winter Warmth campaign at AM Moola Spes Nova School yesterday.

Jeff Kannie, secretary of the association, said the initiative was a response to the dire poverty in the community.

“We deal with poverty on a daily basis and see the effect it has on our children, and the impact it has on their learning,” he said.

Salim Sayed, the head of the KwaZulu-Natal branch of the Gift of the Givers, said that helping children was essential because “a child that doesn’t have a decent sleep or a good meal cannot be productive at school”.

For the children, who dug feverishly in their blue bags, the box of Milo cereal, one of the many items in their nutritional hampers, was a rare luxury. Brenton Francis, a pupil from Swanvale Primary, said the cereal was a welcome treat.

The keen sportsman said the cereal would give him the energy he needed.

The Gift of the Givers’ Winter Warmth campaign is a national initiative that provides assistance to the needy across the country.