Businessman donates 100 pairs of shoes to poor pupils
With the cold season fast approaching, many pupils had hope beaming from their faces as Gauteng businessman Given Muhlarhi donated 100 pairs of much-needed school shoes at Etwatwa Secondary School in Wattville, Benoni, yesterday.
Following growing calls of assistance from the school’s principal Farirai Rufetu, pupils received the school shoes from Muhlarhi’s The Giver Foundation,.
The foundation also adopted the financial needs of one of the pupils.
“The school’s capacity for pupils is 1 100 and most of our pupils come from disadvantaged families, so many of them are fed and clothed here,” Rufetu added.
“The poverty in the surrounding area is very great. The kids who come from Ramaphosa, Msholozi, Emlotheni and many other informal settlements face insurmountable challenges.”
Rufetu said the donation would help many pupils to be more confident and also focus on their school work better instead of on issues such as things they lacked. Many come from child-headed households, he adde. “We are truly grateful for Given who took it upon himself to give back to the community.
“The donations received today will make a huge difference to our pupils and close necessary gaps,” he said.
The shoes followed a donation of books, Wi-Fi and educational materials.
According to Muhlarhi, after he was touched by the plight of a 15 year old who had economic difficulties within her family, and was prevented from coming to school, he wanted to do more.
“Apart from handing over the financial and educational support to the selected pupil on Tuesday, I wanted to donate 100 pairs of school shoes to economically disadvantaged pupils at the school,” he said.
“We understand that most students in this school come from poor backgrounds but through this initiative we are trying to redeem their confidence,” the philantropist added.