AUGUST 2017
Eliminating marginalisation one pair at a time.
- See page 2 for photographs of these donations...
What started out as a small act of kindness has now blessed hundreds, if not thousands of children across Pietermaritzburg, its surrounding areas, Johannesburg, Midrand and Pretoria East. Galaxy News spoke to the lead organizer and founder of ‘Making a difference SA,’ Chan Naidoo. “My wife Keshnee Naidoo and I started our work about 10 years ago with a group of family members and friends with the aim of making a difference. About 8 years ago my colleagues from Sasol decided to join us and jointly as ordinary people, we’ve come together to make an extraordinary difference to the lives of children and vulnerable people within our communities. We later got our Facebook friends on-board and have received support from friend across South Africa and even as far Switzerland and USA. We use 100% of funds raised for the targeted campaign and all expenses are presently funding by my wife and myself personally. We have impacted communities across Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KZN.”
keep them interested in learning without the feeling marginalised by their circumstances.
“The consequent result will be sustained interest in school, focus on empowering themselves and turning the tide that their circumstance dictate and not a situation they choose to be in,” said Chan. “We’ve used Facebook extensively to raise awareness for the vulnerable members within our communities and gather donor support. 50% of the funds raised are from my family, friends and Facebook friends and the remaining 50% was funded by my Sasol colleagues in their personal capacity. The tremendous support received from my Sasol colleagues has afforded us the platform to extend our reach to more beneficiaries.”
“We have received more than 18 requests from schools in and around Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg. Since 14 August they have donated to 18 schools in Pietermaritzburg. Of the 18, Sunlit Gardens, Umsilinga Primary, Allandale Primary, Northdale Primary, Newholmes Primary, Springhaven Primary, TPA Primary and Orient Heights Primary have received donation for their learners. Umsilinga alone received 600 pairs of shoes, socks and stationery set, Sunlit Gardens received 54 sets, with Orient Heights Primary School receiving 130 similar sets. The remaining 15 schools received between One of their recent campaigns making the 10 and 20 sets each. The total number headlines throughout the country is of children that benefited from this directly focused on the influence of Nelson initiative were 930 in Pietermaritzburg. Mandela on children. Naidoo told us that this influence has been the driving force Orient Heights Primary School extended behind their work. The group has come their heartfelt thanks to the team on together with a single purpose to instill Facebook earlier last week - “On behalf positivity and hope into the lives of of the Learners, Parents, SGB, Staff and vulnerable children around the country. Principal of Orient Heights Primary School, we would like to place on This Campaign, also known as the School record our sincere gratitude to Chan Shoe Dignity Campaign in remembrance Naidoo and his family and friends and of Nelson Mandela, seeks to provide a SASOL colleagues, for the donation of basic school necessity in the form of 130 pairs of school shoes, socks and school shoes which is an essential items stationery packs for our learners. It is of dignity for any school going learner. only through your kindness and generWithin a 9 weeks of this campaign, the osity of ordinary people who chose to group was able to source and receive make a positive change in our commumore than just school shoes and now nities that these learners are filled with have school socks and stationary sets such excitement. They are brimming distributed to these learners. In Gauteng with self confidence knowing they are leaners were also provided with beanies looking smart and well attired.” due to cold conditions. These contributions have the ability to create a more Earlier in this month the team headed positive experience for the children and out 190 sets to Mayibuye Primary
School in Midrand, a few schools in the Jacksons Drift Informal Settlement and Boschkop Primary in Pretoria Eastt. When at Boschkop Primary, Naidoo and his team identified the need for an additional 400 pairs of shoes, socks, stationery sets and beanies.
receiving these necessities.
“As we reach the final stages of our school charity campaign, I would like to extend our gratitude to our donors. If you would like to contribute to this amazing initiative, email me, Chan on chanravinaidoo40@gmail.com or contact An urgent appeal was sent out to his me via Facebook Chan Ravi Naidoo or on Facebook friends, family, and colleagues 0837873121 for support in our 2018 who responded positively. In the next few School Shoe Campaign. We plan to run a weeks an additional 400 pairs will be similar campaign next year and appeal to distributed to Boschkop Primary in potential donors to make contact with me response to the need. In total they would to be placed on our contact register for have donated in excess1600 school our campaign in 2018. With your support shoes, socks and stationery sets by we can transform the face of the future for mid-October. It is amazing what this team our children, our economy and our has done for the community and how country. What difference will you make?” much the kids exude confidence by just
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