The sound of children begging “please ma’am, we are hungry, please ma’am, give us food” prompted this school principal to take action.
Twice a week, the head of Nomzamo Primary drives to her school as part of the provincial education department’s feeding programme to prepare food for her learners.
Thandeka Fandese says when the kids see her, they run after her car begging for more food.
Touched by their pleas, the palie made a call to the humanitarian aid organisation, the Gift of the Givers, and told them about the children’s plight.
HEARTFELT: Gift of the Givers donated 1250 food parcels to kids of Nomzamo Primary
“I called for help because I could not bear seeing the children asking for food,” she says.
“We cook for them here two times a week but back at home there is nothing to eat. They rely on the meals they get from the school.”
Gift of the Givers heeded the call and on Wednesday delivered 1250 food parcels for all the learners of Nomzamo Primary, as well as donating enough foodstuff for them to cook meals daily.
Fandese says the gift is most welcome: “This will make a difference in the families’ circumstances and I am happy that Gift of the Givers came here.
“This is not the first time they assisted the school, there was a fire earlier this year and they donated stationery and uniforms to the learners.”
GotG spokesman, Aly Sablay
GotG spokesman, Aly Sablay, says Nomzamo is one of the poorest areas they serve and when the principal reached out to them, they could not sit back.
“We are also making sure that the feeding scheme (at the school) carries on for longer and more days were added to the two.”
The school, which is made of prefab containers, was opened due to the overflow of other schools in the area.
BLESSING: Child with her parcels
Parent, Nokuzola Nokwe, says the food will go a long way and thanked Principal Fandese and Sablay for their generosity.
“Many of us are unemployed, even before the lockdown. This food will assist us
“To be honest, this is the first time I get so much food for free,” she added with a smile.