28 Jul 2014

The youth in Mandunyane donated new jerseys to 30 needy students of the village’s primary school on July 25.

Speaking at the event held at the school, 39-year-old Lobopo Maebe, who heads the youth club called Mandunyane Trust Fund, said they were prompted by the compassion they felt towards those children to do so. She said their club, which was established in January this year, consists of 50 young people who met through social network, Facebook and shared the same vision of helping the poor in their community.

Ms Maebe said the members of the club agreed to contribute P50 each towards the good deed and added that they met for the first time as a club in April and that is when they came up with the idea. She said the contributions amounted to P3500, adding that some members live outside Mandunyane but originate from the village.

Furthermore, she mentioned that the club is not yet registered and this was their way to show their objective as a club. “Before helping those who are far, we believe that we should start with those who are within our surroundings,” she said.

She said that they were grateful as a club for the support and encouragement they received from the Kgosi and the ward councilor, adding that the Village Development Committee (VDC) and Parents Teachers Association (PTA) were receptive.

Mr Ahmad Mapeke, who is a Guidance and Counselling teacher at the school, said the 30 children who were identified as needy came out of the 100 who are registered for the social welfare. He said they were able to assess the children and figure out those who were more deserving since they are accessible to them on a daily basis.

As a way to encourage the spirit, the ward councilor, retired Brigadier Bathoeng Maseko donated P200 towards the event and said people must try to add to what the government is already doing by helping the less fortunate. “History is being made in Mandunyane at this point and we believe that this will inspire others out there to follow suit,” he said.

He encouraged the Village Extension Team (VET) to have a positive encouraging spirit towards such good gestures. The VDC chairperson, Mr Folly Doctor encouraged proper family planning, saying that bringing many children to the world when one cannot afford to take proper care of them is not ideal.

Giving a vote of thanks, Kgosi Moila Moabi thanked the parents who attended the event. He said he was thankful that the spirit of poverty eradication was spreading to their area. ENDS