Mvula Primary pupils receive school uniforms
Nyanga township children could not wait to get back to the classroom after receiving brand new school uniforms on Monday January 20.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Gugulethu office brought joy to Mvula Primary School in Lusaka by donating school uniforms to 57 pupils in need.
The impact of this gesture was immediately visible on the faces of the parents and children, many of whom had been struggling with worn out shoes and old uniforms.
Principal Nokulunga James said it was also devastating to witness children go to school with torn shoes and uniforms, as that had a detrimental impact on their concentration and their dignity.
Ms James said the area of Lusaka is grappling with a high unemployment rate and various social issues.
“As a school that is in an area where unemployment is rife, we are delighted with this donation to our children. This will encourage them to come to school and love their books. We are dependent on donations from people and non-governmental organisations for necessities like school uniforms and stationery,” she said.
The principal said her school has 1023 children from 1383 last year.
Parent Thozama Mpofana, a mother of twins, said receiving such a donation will encourage her to encourage her children to attend school daily.
“This is an encouragement to them too. They will look like other children and not feel excluded. They will not feel down when they have to go to school. I speak on behalf of other parents too, this is a huge relief to us all. We have been saved from loans,” she said.
According to Sassa, the school shoe donation initiative started in previous years through a social relief distress programme to restore the dignity of pupils in need.
