Protea Hotel cheers on Emfundisweni pupils
JOBURG - Staff of the Protea Hotel Melrose branch and some celebrities brought smiles and cheers to needy Emfundisweni Primary School pupils through a donation of school shoes.
The donation was part of the hotel chain’s corporate social responsibility programme which includes safe homes for abused girls and women and housing.
They gave away 330 pairs of shoes bought with R50 000 raised in a shoe campaign from the company, staff, customers and service providers.
General manager Gabriella Abrahams said it was everyone’s responsibility to focus on education which is the most powerful weapon for changing the world. “It’s a tool for use by children to get a better life and exit endemic poverty in Alexandra.” The school was chosen after a needs analysis which revealed many children coming from disadvantaged backgrounds requiring material support to equalise their circumstances with others. “The donation is part of giving back humbly and lessening societal selfishness.”
Abrahams said their support was non-financial and included time spent with the children and other possibilities like soup for winter as part of a long-term relationship. The school principal Thembakazi Giyana said the donation will reduce the burden felt by teachers who also played social worker roles to deal with psychosocial challenges resulting from the children’s poverty circumstances. “The shoes will lift their spirits, make them fit in with others and alleviate pressure on their poor granny-headed households.” She appealed for winter support through jerseys and soup to complement the government’s feeding scheme.
Former Kaizer chiefs and national soccer team player Jabu Mahlangu expressed privilege for taking part in the event. He said it was for a worthy cause. He urged the pupils not to let their circumstances determine their destiny, but commit to education which would guarantee them a better future. Also, he advised them to respect teachers and their parents, to love and share the little food they may have to avoid others starving and, to sustain and lift their emotions and spirits through prayer.
Other celebrities included former Springbok rugby player Ashwin Willemse, Protea’s cricket player Makhaya Ntini, paralympic swimming gold medallist Natalie du Toit, model Sasha Naidoo and 7De Laan actress Nobuhle Mahlasela. Mahlasela who attended the same school.
Details: Miriam Ryan, Protea hotel; 011 218 4000.
Filler: Are celebrities and corporates doing enough to help reduce poverty? Share your views with us on www.alexnews.co.za or our Facebook page
