Youngster inspires residents to donate towards the homeless
Eleven-year-old Hashim Kaylin Govender has earned the title of "role model for the new generation" following his praiseworthy efforts to raise a tidy sum for the Pietermaritzburg Homeless Network (PHN).
Hashim attended the annual firewalking festival at the Sri Siva Soobramoniar Marriamen
temples in Langalibalele Street over the Easter weekend with his mother and was inspired by a man who wanted to donate to the PHN who was raising funds at the event.
His mother, Simi Bhatti Govender, who is a member of an NGO, said her children had inherited her passion for fundraising.
She said that Hashim joined in the fundraising effort and attracted the attention of the people at the event. He explained the objectives of the PHN to them and requested donations in cash or kind.
"He did not stop to think twice. He continued knowing that it was for a good cause. He has a heart for giving," said his proud mother.
"People saw him and stopped and listened with broad smiles. They gave money and were also made aware of the other needs of the PHN," she added.
She said that her son encouraged people who did not have cash on hand to donate via Apple Pay as he had a card machine with him.
People also shared the donation drive on their social media platforms.
Bhatti Govender said she was very proud of her son and his commitment to the cause still brings tears to her eyes.
Judy Umraw, public relations officer of the PHN, was managing the booth on the day when she met Hashim.
“I was ecstatic to see that youngsters are becoming involved. And Kaylin had such tenacity and went above the normal,” Umraw said.
Umraw commended the young boy’s passion saying his actions were “outstanding and different, he was really serious.”
She said that there were no expectations for the amount of funds raised on the day, but with the help of Hashim, the PHN made over R2000.
A philosophical Bhatti Govender said:
“If a chain is missing links, it will never be strong. But if all of the links are together, the chain is stronger and can never be broken. We must be like links, so we can be stronger.”