Student named Lead SA Youth Hero of the Month for coffee pit stop initiative
DAINFERN – Dainfern College's Motheo Llale was announced as the Lead SA Youth Hero of the Month for his community work. Read the full story here.
Inspired by his close relationship with his childhood nanny, Motheo Llale in Grade 11 at Dainfern College, started offering tea and coffee to domestic workers and gardeners working at the Dainfern residential estates during the cold winter months.
On 7 September, Motheo was announced as the Lead SA Youth Hero of the Month on radio station 947, where he was interviewed on The Greg and Lucky Show in the afternoon.
Motheo said he wanted to do something to lift the spirits of all those people who travelled to work early in the cold mornings. Soon after he started his small project with the support of his parents, he also attracted the attention of Dainfern College and corporate sponsors.
In the interview about his Tea and Coffee Pit Stop, Motheo explained that he was always motivated by Nelson Mandela, who said that no one was born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion; that people learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.
Tea, coffee and empathy in Dainfern
Dainfern College supported Motheo’s efforts to formalise the project, which is now an official outreach activity at the school. The Dainfern College Foundation donated R10 000 to the cause – for the tea, coffee and biscuits served – while big retailers such as Spar have also come on board with sponsorships.
During the interview, Motheo thanked his school friends and the college’s staff for supporting him. He added that there were plans afoot to run the Pit Stop during the summer school terms too.
Motheo also announced the new project he was working on, the Heartreach Foundation. This foundation aims to collect sanitary products for girls because the average schoolgirl in South Africa will miss almost three years of school, simply because she doesn’t have access to sanitary pads and products.
In congratulating Motheo on his Lead SA Youth Hero of the Month award, Matthew Davies, Dainfern College principal, said, “This is a significant achievement and one that exemplifies our college values of integrity and humanity. Motheo is a wonderful example to his peers and to the greater community, showing that we can all make a difference in the lives of others.”
Talk to us by posting on our timeline, Fourways Review or tweeting @Fourways_Review
