It was all smiles at the Iphupha Lam After School Programme in Harare, Khayelitsha, when about 100 pupils received full school uniforms under the campaign Dress a Child at an event held at Isiphiwo Primary.
The principal of the programme, parents and the pupils could not believe their eyes when an entourage led by a well-known wi-fi provider, arrived at the underprivileged school bearing school shoes for the 98 children.
The provider, Ikeja, was on a mission to warm hearts for desperate pupils from different schools of the area. The Dress a Child campaign was initiated by the Iphupha Lam principal Asanda Tshendu after seeing how some of the children were struggling.
She said most of the beneficiaries come from informal settlements in the area. Ms Tshendu was excited because the donation will not only improve school attendance but will give dignity too. Parents who attended the event said it also improved their concentration in class and would help them stay warms in winter.
The delighted Ms Tshendu said: “The reality is that we have lots of unemployed parents. Most pupils at our school come from underprivileged homes. These new school uniforms mean a lot to the parents, teachers but mostly to the pupils. You can imagine going to school without a proper uniform while others are in full uniform. It’s embarrassing. This will help with their confidence and we are really grateful for the support we get from Ikeja. The gesture makes me happy and of course the beneficiaries who are now going to look like the others,” she said.
She also thanked the donors for opening up their hearts. She said when they applied they were hopeful because the donors also operate in Khayelitsha.
“Their response was very positive and we are truly grateful for that. From now on, I take them as a family of Iphupha. It is good when companies and organisations plough back to the communities. We thank them for such positivity and help,” she said,
Since its establishment in 2019 Iphupha has been running after school classes, helping pupils with their school work and hosting various activities. It has an enrolment of about 1 200 pupils whom they also sometimes feed.
Ikeja spokesman, Sandiso Mbulelo, said the company was happy to plough back into the community. He said after receiving the application from Iphupha and seeing the work that they do, they did not hesitate to contribute.
“This also forms part of our community upliftment. Khayelitsha is one of the oldest areas where we have been operating. It is good that we are ploughing back here. We did not only bring uniforms with our partners but food as well,” he said.
Schools that benefitted were Zimasa Primary, Luleka Primary, Sizimisele Primary, Hillside and two high schools, Kwa-Mfundo and Luhlaza.
