Four hundred pupils in Nieuwoudtville in the Namakwa District were given a head start to the new academic year after an NGO handed over stationery on Wednesday.
FOUR hundred pupils in Nieuwoudtville in the Namakwa District were given a head start to the new academic year after Umanyano SA, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), handed over stationery, as well as a plate of food and refreshments, to the children.
One of the founders of the NGO, Kelly Petersen, said that they not only wanted to make the children excited about the academic year, but they also wanted to make a difference in their community.
“Our vision when we started the organisation was to serve, educate and uplift small, underdeveloped communities. We also wanted to assist struggling and impoverished communities,” said Petersen. “We have a number of identified initiatives for this year. Our objective for the month of January is ‘Quality Education’ as the school year commences this month.
“We have witnessed the impact of Covid-19 on our schooling system as well as on society. Many people are starving and that challenge results in many households not being able to afford stationery or food. The stationery drive will ease the pressure on parents and guardians and also make the children look forward to going back to school.”
Petersen added that the stationery drive also aims to encourage children to focus on their academics and to also make them “feel special”.
“When one gives something to someone, it is not only the person who receives a gift who is motivated and rejuvenated. We want to make a difference in our community, but also teach a culture of giving to our young children,” she said.
“The initiative also aims to put a smile on the face of the children and for them to be excited to show off their new gifts when they attend school. Children have the need to feel special and not be ostracised for not being able to afford the essentials they require for their academic careers.”
