As a continuation of their January initiative, Backyard production together with Wordspread Media presents the Phuma-Sifunde Winter Campaign, which is aimed at helping school learners in need to have suitable school items. Unlike their previous project, their aim and objective now are to collect as much uniform, stationery—pencils, coloured crayons, exercise books and so forth.
They acknowledge that since it is winter, the cold weather is unbearable, thereby propelling them to go an extra mile as to accepting jerseys, vests, socks, beanies and other warm clothing items.
“We saw a need in the community whereby school kids go to school without stationery or proper uniform, so this winter we want to ensure that we help as many kids through this campaign. We did it first back in January for four weeks, we collected stationery from January 1-31.
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“After that, we had a handover event whereby we gave out the stationery we collected. We are going to do the same this season, but because it’s winter, the campaign is going to be longer,” said Motlatsi Ngcephe of the Worspread Media.
This campaign is targeting school learners from struggling households and is not exclusive of those who go to Model C schools but whose parents are not well off, therefore struggling to get these kids proper stationery. On their January campaign, these organisers were able to assist two boys from Bramfischerville whose school uniform and stationery had got burnt.
“On our first campaign, we were able to help two kids, their father had beaten up their mom and burnt down the house in Bramfischer – so everything they owned was caught up in the fire. We then got a call from Jozi FM alerting us of the situation, that’s how we got to help them,” continued Ngcephe.
Ngcephe added that most people are reluctant to donate. With the little they had received they got to help two kids in need, which is what encouraged them to continue with this campaign because of the situation they see in their township of Orlando West.
Ngcephe said another thing that motivated them to initiate this campaign is to see kids bettering their future by going to school and to see them prospering.
So far, the organisers have collected plenty of books and stationery, which they reckon will be able to accommodate a large number of learners. But as for other items like uniform and warm clothes, they have a minimum quantity.
“We are not only focusing on Orlando West, wherever there’s a need God will take us there. Just like the previous kids we helped, we had initially planned to go to the school and donate and we found out about the family.” Demanded Phila Nxumalo of the Backyard Production.
At the moment, Phuma-Sifunde Winter Campaign has potential sponsors they are hoping to work with such as Toughees, Jet and Pep Stores. They also urge anyone who would like to donate warm clothing items and stationery to contact them on either 061 467 0990—Backyard Productions or 079 558 5696—Wordspread Media.
