14 Nov 2019

 Spar Boiteko Junction branch in Serowe has donated school tracksuits to the less privileged pupils of Maklojane  Primary School on November 13.

Handing over the tracksuits, Spar assistant manager Mr Tumediso Kenosi said they had started the journey with the school after realising that the school had many school dropouts attributed to many needy pupils.

Mr Kenosi stated that they had adopted the school in June after the school management requested for assistance.

“If we can all realise that we need to help others who are disadvantaged, that is when we can all start lending a helping hand,” he said.

He said not helping those in need could lead to desperation, which would reflect negatively on the learners in need, noting that the supermarket was blessed with kind employees, who understood what it meant to be in need. 

For her part, the school head, Ms Banabotlhe Keoonne, said the school had learners with special needs, therefore it was important that they had all that they needed to take their education seriously.

“Children need to know that they are recognised so that they can realise the importance of learning and contribute as members of the society,” she said.

She noted that some of the pupils lacked parental care while others were intellectually challenged.  

“Our school has 862 pupils, 164 are orphans while 14 are for special education, 103 at reception and the rest belong to the main stream,” she said.

She said their relationship with Spar was commendable as it was contributing positively towards the development of disadvantaged learners.

Further, she said some of the learners were intelligent and could be unified into the mainstream in the future, as they were able to perform  at par with those in the mainstream.

The school head said the management and pupils were grateful for the gifts, adding that proper school uniform would motivate the pupils.

She encouraged parents to ensure proper care of the school uniform.

The pupils’ parents who attended the ceremony were thankful to Spar. 

Ms Lepelo Seithati said children were future leaders who needed to be cared for.

Ms Mareledi Tsholelo also appreciated the gesture, noting that not all parents were able to assist their children, that was why some of them depended on handouts.

Parent Teachers Association chairperson Mr Kebaitsi Kebobone appealed to parents to look after the children’s school uniform.

He thanked Boiteko Spar for their generosity, saying pupils would now be uniform. ENDS