FOR nine-year-old Dario Gouveia, who lives in Meyersdal and attends Marist Brothers Linmeyer, being chosen as a 947 LeadSA Youth Hero for the month of March is thrilling, to say the least. And now he has also been selected as a brand ambassador for the 2017 Schools SleepOut.
“I am excited to be an ambassador. Not only will it help me collect more shoes for the poor, but hopefully it will inspire more children to help me help the poor,” says Dario.
Read: Help Dario collect shoes for the needy
Dario is the youngest ambassador out of the 13 who were chosen. On the panel of judges were former public protector Thuli Madonsela, Leanne Manas (TV presenter), Brett Lindeque (The Good Thing Guy) and local Karen Landi.
It all began earlier this year when Dario started his initiative, Sole2Sole, collecting shoes for children who didn’t have any. Since February he’s managed to collect over 5 000 pairs of shoes, and with assistance from his mom Zita, dad Mario and Liana, his eight-year-old sister, he’s taking Sole2Sole to new heights.
“What’s amazing to me is how many other children are now trying to help the poor,” said Dario.
“A young boy, Aaron Greenblatt, who is eight years old and lives in Randburg, said he was so motivated by Dario’s Sole2Sole project, he asked to meet Dario and now he’s started Socks & Jocks. Aaron said, ‘What’s shoes without socks, and all boys need undies.’ How precious is this?” said Zita.
Another young lady, Ruby Nates (10), who lives in Cape Town, has begun Ruby’s Rainbow of Hope and has managed to collect 2 600 pairs of shoes.
A Grade Seven learner from St Benedict’s, Jonathan Barbeau, was motivated by Dario, approached him and asked if he could start a collection of shoes at his school, in support of Sole2Sole. St Benedict’s is running a house competition to see which house collects the most shoes.
“We never, ever imagined Dario’s shoe project would become such a wonderful initiative. Seeing other youngsters coming on board with their own projects is absolutely fantastic,” added Zita.
Also Read: Sole2Sole gaining ground
With hardly a spare moment to himself, the CHRONICLE reporter caught up with Dario at school, where he was busy eating a sandwich in between his soccer practice and swimming lesson, and asked him how everything is going.
“I’m quite busy at the moment. Sometimes my days are a bit hectic, but it’s all worth it. Meeting Aaron was awesome and it’s great that he’s collecting socks and underpants,” he said.
Dario has also been on the radio and TV, as well as being on You magazine’s Facebook page.
How is he handling being in the limelight? “Ummmm, it’s quite cool, and I’ve got to meet some famous people,” he said.
Now he is sending out a challenge to schools to participate in hosting a SleepOut, and has challenged Sacred Heart College, St David Inanda, Reddam House Preparatory, St Martin’s Preparatory, Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic School, Waterstone College, Marais Viljoen, Grace Trinity and King David College Victory Park. Are you up for the challenge?
If you would like to contact Dario or Zita, please email: zgouveia@starpack.co.za or phone Zita on 079 501 9517.
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