East Rand Academy of Excellence in Primrose was visited by local businessman Given Muhlarhi last Friday.
The visit saw him donating 70 pairs of school shoes to learners in need at the school.
The school was one of the beneficiaries of the Given the Giver Shoes Drive campaign that was started last month.
Muhlarhi said he understands the challenges learners face on a daily basis and he didn’t want one of them to be without school shoes.
“I work in the Ekurhuleni area and that has exposed me to some of the difficulties young people experience on a daily basis.
“I wanted to give them something that could give them hope.
“A pair of shoes can make a difference in a child’s life,” said Muhlarhi.
He added that young people need support because they are the future of this country.
“I am a firm believer that we should take care of the youth because they are the future.
“Also, with the current unpredictable weather conditions as a result of global warming, you never know when it will be cold, rainy or sunny, ” he said.
“In one day you can have all four seasons and can you imagine what this means to a child walking barefoot?
“With these pairs of shoes I hope to give them a beacon of hope and encouragement to keep going to school and to overcome obstacles they may face.
“I am investing in the future of Ekurhuleni.
“Ekurhuleni will be getting a university of science and technology and these youngsters will probably be the first beneficiaries of this initiative, so they need our support in every way so that they stay in school and make it to university.”
He also took the opportunity to motivate the learners.
He shared his background and told learners it’s not their fault to be born into a family that is struggling.
“I came from nothing.
“At some point in my life I was homeless, but I promised myself I will be something and today I am,” said Muhlarhi.
“It’s not your fault to be born into a poor family, but it’s your fault to die poor.
“Even in tough situations tell yourself you deserve better and you will work hard to get there.”
The school’s principal Agatha Kloppers said they were grateful for the donations.
“We are humbled by this donation to our learners.
“We are a school with children from all kinds of backgrounds.
“To receive such for those who are in need is a blessing,” said Kloppers.
She said the school does need help and for people like Muhlarhi to identify them is a blessing.
“We are a small school doing amazing work.
“We push our learners to be the best versions of themselves and to do that we need support,” said Kloppers.
The Given the Giver Shoes Drive campaign has donated over 400 pairs of shoes to schools in Ekurhuleni over the past three weeks.
The campaign will be running throughout the year and it is hoped that uniforms will be added to the donations.
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