New school shoes put a smile on learners’ faces
The power of education can change one's poor family background, yet this is a difficult challenge when one considers how many learners quit school early.
LIMPOPO – This was according to Gr 6 learner, Latani Tshikulumela (12), after he received a pair of school shoes during the Thobela FM Back-to-School campaign at Greenside Primary School outside Polokwane last Tuesday.
He said he has faced tough times over the last few years and could not believe he now owned a pair of school shoes.
“School has never been easy for me. I have never enjoyed it, but due to my passion and dreams I can’t quit. I used to come to school without shoes on my feet year after year because my parents can’t afford to buy me any and that’s been challenging. I’m still young and receiving these shoes makes me feel I want to change my life for the better.
“The world is waiting for us as youths to take action and that should be done. Thanks to Thobela FM, I feel proud that I now look the same as my classmates,” he said.
According to Thobela FM Marketing Department Events Organiser, Monicca Seletela, the station would, through the Back-to-School campaign, visit several schools throughout the province to ensure every learner received a proper pair of school shoes.
She said school shoes were crucial; every learner needed shoes to produce better results at school.
“We hope this donation will benefit them a lot and also encourage them to work hard on their studies without worrying. Our statistics show the Greenside area has a high number of poor families and orphans who need our support,” she said.
The Principal, Peter Ramaphakela, said he hoped the donation would bring more changes.
“We have experienced difficult times in the previous years, when the number of absent learners increased every day due to them not having shoes and being afraid of being embarrassed by other learners.
“We are happy and honoured as the station has paved a smooth way towards our learners’ future and life goals. We believe this donation will not only benefit them, but also encourage them to work hard towards their studies,” he said.
