Giving is the best gift for Loyiso

KwaThema – Loyiso Bada chose to celebrate her 29th birthday by giving gifts instead of receiving them.

“I was driving to work one day and I saw a little boy wearing flops on a cold winter day and I could not stop the car immediately,” she explains.

“I used the same route many days to try and see him again.”

Loyiso says she could not help but wonder how many other children are in that situation.

“I used to celebrate my birthday with my mom, but she passed away early this year.

“As I thought of a new way to celebrate without my mother, I got the idea to buy the shoes and give them away.”

She then contacted Masimini Primary School, which gave her a list of 29 learners and their shoe sizes.

“I bought all the shoes myself, but when people found out what I was doing they offered to help.

“This is when I asked them to donate socks.”

Loyiso says the experience was an emotional one for her.

“There is something about helping someone who has nothing to give back to you at the time.”

She explains that the initiative has opened her eyes to the plight of so many children eKasi.

“Not having shoes or a proper uniform could be the one thing that is holding a learner back from doing well academically.”

Principal Milinian Nkosi says the shoes were much needed.

“May she continue to do this wonderful job for others, as she has done for us.”