Charity begins at home.
This is the credo of school teacher Irafaan Abrahams, who has become known for putting his money where his mouth is.
The 48-year-old recently ran 100km to raise money to buy shoes for poor kids.
Irafaan and NPO “Lace Up for Change” raised enough money to buy 35 pairs of school shoes for the Drill and Marching Squad of Liesbeeck Primary School in Portland, Mitchells Plain.
The squad is set to compete in Port Elizabeth later this month in a national competition and were in desperate need of new shoes.
Irafaan of Bayview has been a school teacher for 25 years and has dedicated his life to helping pupils by placing skoene on their voete.
Last year he also blessed 486 children from Thornton Road Primary School in Crawford with shoes.
Irafaan is the Vice Chairman of “Lace Up for Change” and in January he began his new post at Liesbeeck Primary School, where he ironically began his teaching career 25 years ago.
Last month, Irafaan ran the 100km race at the Cape Town Festival in Sea Point to raise funds for their school shoes drive.
Irafaan in action. Picture: Supplied
“Charity begins at home,” he tells the Daily Voice.
“We have always been blessing other schools and when I heard there was a need right at the school where I taught, I said let me help.
“They had school shoes from last year but children’s feet grow and most of the shoes were broken and too small.
“They are set to compete in PE and are one of only two schools who were invited.”
On Monday, Irafaan surprised the squad with his gift.
“Teaching does not only have to take place inside the classroom, there also has to be a holistic approach.”
The veteran marathon runner regards each day as a gift after being diagnosed with Angioedema, which left swelling all over his body.
But Wahied Gasant, the principal of Liesbeeck Primary says they still need R17 000 for the bus fare to PE.
“The squad leaves on 15 August, but if we don’t get this money by the end of the week, I am going to have to tell the children they can’t go.”
If you would like to assist, please call the school’s bursar, Miss Emandien on 021 371 4860.