The Janie Project is a special project that was started in 2011 by Karin Kitching in memory of her daughter, Janicke Kitching who passed away on 18 May 2010.
Janicke was a true fashionista with a love of shoes and all things beautiful.
This project is a celebration of Janicke’s passion for life and the unique person that she was. Through the project Karin aims to affirm to young girls growing up in difficult financial circumstances that they are special and need to value themselves.
In the past Karin always presented various girls with a pair of brand new shoes to help them realise that they are special enough for someone to go out and buy them a pair of brand new shoes.
To date more than 500 pairs of shoes were bought for girls from the ages of four months to 18 years.
When the project was started on Janicke’s birthday in 2011 it was to celebrate her life but also to do something good and give back to say thank you for her.
Initially friends and family were contacted and asked to contribute anything with the number 24 as she would have turned 24 on 20 January 2011.
Although the project entails buying shoes for girls, Karin now receives requests to buy shoes for boys as well. In 2014 Karin took the project to the next level when it was decided to pay the school fees for one special young girl.
Righardt le Roux, Programme Librarian at the Westonaria Library views it as a great honour to have partnered with Karin in this project, and the call went out for nominations.
Ultimately the choice fell on Lerato Sehlabaka, Grade 7 pupil from Venterspost Primary School who already at a young age displays great humanity.
On hearing the good news Lerato said that she would love to say to all girls out there that to achieve success in life takes 90 per cent hard work and 10 per cent luck.
She and her mother are very grateful to Karin for placing this much trust in her. The ultimate aim will be to continue buying shoes but also to pay for short courses and school fees to change lives.
“I do believe in the concept of paying it forward,” says Karin.
“Maybe one day we will hear stories of how this project made a difference.”
In response to this great gesture, the principal of Venterspost Primary says, “We wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Karin and Righardt for sponsoring Lerato. I have no doubt that this gesture will leave an everlasting mark on the affected family as well as our school.”
