Official goes the extra mile to support vulnerable learners
28 May 2020
Anusha Naidoo, a Circuit Manager in the Metro Central Education District, has embarked on a food hamper drive to bring much needed relief to the families of learners at schools in her circuit.
Naidoo said the lockdown has been a huge challenge for many schools, especially institutions that are part of the school nutrition programme.
She realised that she needed to play her part in contributing to the feeding programme and
challenged family and friends to donate the money they were saving on travelling expenses whilst working from home towards food hampers.
Three weeks later, through intense advocacy and daily follow ups, she managed to raise over R38 000 for the most vulnerable learners and their families at schools in Langa, Guguletu, Hanover Park and Athlone/ Rylands.
Through much negotiation and varied quotes, she secured 190 food hampers at a cost of R200 each, together with some polystyrene containers for the feeding programme.
Individual hampers consisted of tinned food, rice, mielie meal, oats, cereal, spaghetti, flour, lentils, soup mix, oil, bread, peanut butter, yeast, salt, soap, bleach, toothpaste and toothbrushes.
Principals picked up the hampers, identified learners and distributed accordingly.
Naidoo thanked the principal of Starling Primary, Mr Raj Rajkumar and his staff for their support in coordinating the finances, logistics and being the distribution hub for the project.
“The lockdown has allowed us to get out of our comfort zone, dig deep into our conscience and pay a way forward.”
Ms Naidoo is no stranger to paying it forward. Read a previous article where she sourced donations for Tembaletu School in Gugulethu:
https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/news/family-celebrates-80th-birthday-generous-donation-tembaletu-school
A true T2P Champion indeed!
