{"id":52502,"date":"2022-09-06T06:02:20","date_gmt":"2022-09-06T04:02:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/lend-a-helping-hand-20220905-7\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T20:02:14","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T18:02:14","slug":"lend-a-helping-hand-20220905-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/lend-a-helping-hand-20220905-7\/","title":{"rendered":"Lend a helping hand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Summit Primary School learners are in need of public assistance, with staff at the school recently launching a new and pre-loved school shoe collection drive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The no-fee school, situated in Hanover Park caters to 1 080 learners from the surrounding communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melissa Phillips of the school initially put a call out for school shoes on social media at the end of August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She wrote in her post: \u201cAt our school we have so many learners in need of school shoes both girls and boys.\u201d [sic].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She called for pre-loved shoes in good condition to help bless a learner in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn arrival at the school it was evident that there was a great need among learners, who because of socio-economic factors cannot afford a pair of school shoes,\u201d she says to People\u2019s Post.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She estimates that around 45% of the children are in need of a pair of good quality shoes. These children are in grades 3 to 7 and mostly wear between sizes 2 and 7. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur children come from areas that have high unemployment rate. Many are raised on a social grant,\u201d she says. \u201cIn most cases their grandparents are the primary caregivers and with the cost of living that is very high it is difficult to purchase or replace a pair of school shoes. It is just impossible to keep up with the demands and needs of a growing child.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To date, 21 pairs have been collected and distributed to children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n