School Shoes Donation Drive Brings Hope to Learners at Khulanolwazi Primary School
Thabo Motlhabi
Mrs. Betty Lekgetho, founder of Masechaba Foundation of Hope, recently hosted a successful School Shoes Donation Drive for learners at Khulanolwazi Primary School in Braamfischerville, Soweto. The event was held at School Hall on Tuesday, 2 August 2026.
It was a beautiful and ordinary school day that was made special by the arrival of the foundation, which came to put smiles on the faces of learners by donating school shoes for disadvantaged learners.
The main objective of the school shoes initiative was to provide learners from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds with proper school shoes. Many of the beneficiaries come from families facing financial difficulties, including households led by single parents who are unemployed or grandparents who depend on social grants to meet their daily needs. For such families, purchasing school shoes can be a significant financial burden, especially when they have other essential family responsibilities to meet.
Some learners were wearing old-school and torn school shoes, while others wore sneakers simply so that they could attend school rather than miss classes. The donations, therefore, went beyond providing footwear; it was an effort to restore dignity and pride and boost learners’ confidence and support them in their academic journey.
Mrs. Betty Lekgetho, as a founder of the Masechaba Foundation of Hope, emphasized the importance of kindness and community spirit:
“Kindness is free and gives hope to the next person.”
The school shoe donation initiative aimed to help learners feel confident and proud, enabling them to participate fully in their education without fear of feeling disadvantaged because of their circumstances. The school warmly welcomed the donations and expressed gratitude for the foundation’s dedication to supporting learners.
As the Head of Khulanolwazi Primary School, Mr. Alex. R. Shivambu expressed his gratitude to the Foundation for its generosity and commitment to the educational needs and wellbeing of learners:
“Your kindness and commitment to supporting the educational needs and well-being of our learners are deeply appreciated. The donations of school shoes will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the learners who received them, helping them to attend school with greater confidence, dignity, and essence of belonging. We are grateful for the support you shown to iyr learners and for investing in the future of our learners. Your contribution demonstrates that positive impact that community partnerships can have in creating better opportunities for learners”.
The engagement concluded with a motivational talk aimed at encouraging and inspiring learners to remain focused on their education despite the challenges they may face.
We then presented the selected learners with their new school shoes. The joy and excitement on their faces reflected the significance of the donations. For many of them, receiving a new pair of school shoes represented more than a material gift; it symbolized hope, dignity, confidence, and a new chapter in their academic journey.
Masechaba Foundation of Hope, School Shoes Donation Drive, demonstrates the positive impacts that community organizations can have when they come together to support children and invest in their future. Through acts of kindness and compassion, the foundation continues to remind learners that their circumstances should not determine their dreams or limit their potential.