Pull up your socks
|Published
RESTORE DIGNITY: Littlewood Primary pupils to benefit from R5000 donation RESTORE DIGNITY: Littlewood Primary pupils to benefit from R5000 donation
Laaities at Littlewood Primary School in Mitchells Plain can now focus on their schoolwork and not be embarrassed about broken socks following a R5 000 donation to assist sukkeling parents.
The donation, made by Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, followed the story of a mother who said her child was punished and humiliated for not wearing grey school socks.
At the time, the 38-year-old woman, who asked not to be named to protect her child, explained that she was unemployed and could not afford grey socks.
She sent the boy to school with black socks, for which he was put in detention.
Schäfer says after being alerted to the matter, she donated R5 000 to the school and visited the school yesterday to check on the progress.
Principal Max Vries says since the donation, they have created a register of children who need items such as socks and make the purchases for the parents and keep a record.
DONOR: Debbie Schafër visited Plain school
“It is about restoring dignity to the children and helping the parents who cannot afford,” he says.
“The children are identified by the teachers and we assist in that way with socks, jerseys and other items.”
The proud mom says while she was furious about what had happened to her child, she is happy with the outcome and visited the school yesterday to thank Schäfer in person.
“I am grateful that other children don’t have to go through the same thing,” the mom said.
“After we put it in the Daily Voice, so many people came to help my child and I could see how it changed his attitude.
“He is happy and can focus on his work and I am happy that other children are now getting help. The children want to learn, but the uniform can be a problem for parents.”