Colder temperatures, especially early in the morning when most people leave for work and school, has everyone shivering and reaching for their warmest clothes. But what about those who aren’t as fortunate as others in owning the necessary gear to keep them snug and warm?
With this in mind the Rotary Club of Stanford has once again set its Winter School Clothes Drive in action. It appeals to the community to assist with donations of school clothes and/or cash to help ensure no child will have to suffer the cold and wet during these winter months.
Rotarian Lana Coates, in her appeal, said providing children with a warm school uniform plays a vital role in ensuring they do not miss school and complete their education.
“One of the reasons children don’t want to attend school is their school uniform. Whether these clothes are too big, too small, torn or simply non-existent, children are teased and bullied because of it. To avoid that, some of them don’t attend school.”
Hence, the Winter School Clothes Drive launched by the Rotary Club of Stanford. Coates appealed to the public and businesses to assist, adding the need is particularly big this year “due to an influx of children. In February this year we managed to assist 100 children with a new pair of trousers and a shirt each, 85 at Die Bron and 15 at St Paul’s.
These are children who come especially from poor homes where there is little or no income, who have been chosen by their school. With winter on our doorstep we would like to provide each with a raincoat, pair of shoes and two pairs of socks, bearing in mind most of them walk a fair distance to school, and the St Paul’s children wait at the roadside for their transport, which is no fun in the cold rain.
“So we appeal to you to find it in your hearts to support these children, please, and keep them in school,” Coates said. “The cost per child is around R300.”
Deposits can be made using the following details:
Rotary Club of Stanford
FNB Hermanus (Branch code 250655)
A/c No.: 62355979695.
Use the word “Clothes” and your name as reference.
Coates can be contacted on 082 216 4398 for more information.
