Uniforms and school shoes can alleviate the plight of destitute learners at the newly founded Matlafalang Primary School.
This was the reaction of Patrick Mofokeng, principal, upon receiving a donation of shoes in aid of 127 learners from impoverished households.
This much-needed donation, presented by the Kagi Project on 28 April, came on the heels of a contribution by the Bloemfontein-based Coal to Diamonds Foundation.
“It is not that parents do not want to buy uniforms and shoes for their children,” Mofokeng said.
“Instead, as many parents are unemployed, they are unable to afford school shoes and uniforms.
“The donation of shoes helps to alleviate the plight of the learners, and for that we are grateful. The sad reality is that, owing to the unemployment situation, the demand for donations like these is huge.”
According to Mofokeng, most of the learners at the school need uniforms and shoes in order to pursue the dream of getting an education.
“Based on our analysis informed by parents’ hardship due to unemployment, about 65% of learners need relief aid in the form of uniforms and shoes,” said Mofokeng.
The Matlafalang Primary School, situated in Phase 6, Bloemfontein, has 755 learners and 25 teaching staff.
Many parents are unemployed, so they are unable to afford school shoes and uniforms for their children– Patrick Mofokeng
