Helping to restore dignity

A MUCH-NEEDED donation of underwear last week brought smiles and excitement to pupils at Soweto-on-Sea Primary School.

Police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Thembi Gwe, who adopted the school this year, donated 500 underwear items to pupils during a visit to Soweto-on-Sea Primary last week.

“We did an awareness campaign at the school last year, when I noticed that most of the pupils wore torn school uniforms and I was told that most of them weren’t even wearing any underwear.

“My heart went out to them because I know exactly where they are coming from, and I just knew I had to do something,” Gwe said.

With assistance from radio station Algoa FM, Gwe was able to advertise her initiative on their website, where she appealed for donations and contributions.

She was then contacted by Tania Steyn, a farmer outside Rocklands, who helped get donations from people as far as Johannesburg and Cape Town.

“As much as people are eager to help, having the donations shipped out costs so much more, so that’s the only problem we’re facing at the moment,” Steyn said.

“However, many are still sending in their donations so it definitely won’t stop here.”

Steyn said she felt compelled to help the young pupils after she heard about Gwe’s initiative.

“I have to say that she is doing such amazing work to help these little children,” Steyn said.

Picture: DEON VAN DER WALT SHOWING THEY CARE: Handing out donations of underwear to Soweto-on-Sea Primary School pupils are, from left, Warrant Officer Thembi Gwe, sponsor Tanya Steyn and Colonel Mzingisi Moshara. Happy pupils, from left, Elam Khasi, 4, Inam Makhitha, 5, and...