Primary school spreads winter cheer

[caption id="attachment_41984" align="alignright" width="405"] WINTER WARMTH: Children at Uviwe Child and Youth Services after receiving their goodies[/caption]

IN a bid to give back to the community and celebrate the memory of Nelson Mandela, residents in the bay have generously been spreading love to those less fortunate.

Pupils from WB Tshume Primary school in Kwazakhele played their part when they spent the last week of the school holidays helping others.

They visited the Ekuphumleni old age home in Zwide where they handed over fruit hampers to the elderly and ill and provided patients at the Kwazakhele clinic with soup and bread.

Principal Buyile Sali said staff and pupils sacrificed the last week of their holiday to care for the residents of the community.

"When we visited the old age home everyone was surprised because they didn't expect us to be there. I just realised who are we to not give back, after Nelson Mandela gave back so much?

"It truly was a touching situation, everyone was literally in tears. After handing out the soup and bread, it seemed as though it was their only meal.

"It just showed us that poverty is real and we have to do something to address it but overall we were well received," Sali said.

In another act of goodwill seven philanthropic women from the Union of Jewish Women brought smiles to the face of children at Uviwe Child and Youth Services through a donation on Mandela Day, July 18.

Arriving with donations of brand new school shoes and warm winter clothes to keep the chill at Bay social workers were warmly welcomed by those at the Schauderville centre.

Social workers chose the charity and were delighted to be able to hand over 25 pairs of school shoes using money donated by the UJW.

Each recipient of a pair of shoes also received a pair of socks.

"We brought so much joy to these children, just seeing the smiles on their faces brought peace to our hearts," UJW chairwoman Elaine Racussen said.

"We would like to extend huge thanks to all the people who made this day possible. With a little bit of hope the impossible can be done."

A further 75 pairs of shoes, purchased by the UJW, will be donated to other charities.

The UJW also donated beanies, jerseys and scarves which were knitted by their members to the moms who brought the children to the centre. - Chanice Koopman