Wildland firefighter from Merafong helps learner in need with new shoes
"It is the responsibility of the community to help each other."
A firefighter who is part of the Working on Fire-Kishugu Joint Venture does not only fight fires but also helps learners in need.
According to Parapara Makgahlela, the communication officer of the Working on Fire-Kishugu Joint Venture, Nokhuthula Medupe works as a wildland firefighter based at the Abe Bailey Nature Reserve. Part of her task is doing fire awareness presentations to learners in grades 8 and 9.
During one of these outreaches, she saw a Grade Eight learner at Relebogile Secondary School in Khutsong, Mpho Lesolle, who urgently needed new shoes.
“Medupe said the plight of a learner with worn-out shoes touched her heart. Lesolle initially refused to allow Medupe to buy him shoes as he feared to be kidnapped and trafficked,” says Makgahlela.
She eventually persuaded the learner to accept the offer.
”Mpho gave me his mom’s number whom I called. She accepted my offer. We then went to the nearest retail store,” explained Medupe.
”I took out from my stipend to help the learner. My weakness is that I love kids and nothing comes between me and them,” she said.
Medupe believes that it is the responsibility of the community to assist each other. She has kids of her own but she cooks for the starving kids in the area on weekends. Such philanthropic acts, gives her human fulfillment.
”Our kids need our love and care for them to thrive in their studies and become better people in the future. He was elated and grateful with my offering,” she said.
