Laaities at E.A. Janari Primary School in Bonteheuwel have a spring in their step after they were blessed with shiny new shoes.
The skoene were donated by Samaritan’s Feet SA and Youth4LifeSA representatives have been travelling to various areas to hand out the shoes of hope to needy kids.
On Tuesday, the Youth4Life crew drove to Worcester to hand over 60 pairs of shoes, and yesterday they distribu-ted a further 60 pairs of comfy Crocs in Bonteheuwel.
Bonteheuwel Ward councillor, Angus Mckenzie, popped by to speak to the kids and was surprised to note that some laaities in the shy group wanted to pursue a career in politics, and wanted his job.
“Oh, now I can see who my competition is,” joked the ward councillor.
The kids laughed at the councillor’s grappie as they sat in lines in the school’s quad, and then were each treated to a mini pedicure as their klein voetjies were washed by volunteers and then placed into the brand-new skoene.
The learners told the Daily Voice that they loved their new shoes.
Anees Isaacs gushed about the comfortable Crocs, showing how they look on his little feet: “I feel very happy and they are very comfor-table.”
Deputy Principal Trudy Paulse says the kids and staff are grateful for the donation: “This for us is very heartwarming; to know that they are doing something for our children.
“With the unemployment rate so high now, parents cannot afford to buy these things.
“The smiles on their faces alone make everything worthwhile.
“Our children are very neglected at home,” explains Paulse.
“So this alone boosts their ego and let’s them know that somebody is doing something just for them.”
robyn.frost@inl.co.za