There were smiles at Luleka Primary School in Harare, Khayelitsha, when Africa Unmasked, a non-profit organisation, donated school bags to a group of needy pupils on Tuesday February 5.
Parents, community leaders and teachers all gathered at the school to attend the handover of the 25 school bags.
The organisation strives to uplift and encourage children to stay in school and urged the pupils to always choose school over drugs and alcohol.
The organisation’s Tlangelani Manganyi, said their primary focus was to uplift schools in townships and rural areas. She said she understands that their donation might be a drop in the ocean but at least it made a difference.
“We don’t want any child to drop out due to lack of school basics. I want to ensure that all black children complete school. We want to give hope to our children. We want to inspire them to focus on school. We want the children not to let their circumstances make them quit school. School is essential – that is our motto. We strive for black excellence,” she said.
School principal, Ncobani Mthonywa, said they were grateful for the donation.
Mr Mthonywa said many parents were unable to meet the school needs of their children and that the donation of bags had helped to ease the financial burden on these parents. “We are overwhelmed by this donation. This might seem like nothing to other people but it means a lot to us. This organisation is truly a blessing to our country,” he said. Ward councillor Anele Gabuza said schools were community assets that needed to be assisted and praised the organisation for their “progressive and powerful” actions.