Student comes to the aid of destitute pupils

Mlondi Mdluli was touched by the plight of pupils from the outskirts of Inanda in KwaZulu-Natal where children often went to school on empty stomachs and without proper uniform.

Mdluli, a master's degree in Economics student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, was doing a research on education challenges that needs attention in the area.

“Some of the learners had to spend long hours travelling barefoot on a gravel road because of shortage of learner transport in the area. Others only depended on the school nutrition programme for a plate of food. I knew that I couldn't just sit and fold my arms. I could see the hunger they had for education but the circumstances they were faced with were making it difficult for them,” he said.

Mdluli said he then decided to start an initiative called Lulisandla Projects, which aims to donate full school uniform to destitute learners from rural schools in KZN.

“The issue of school uniform led to high rate of absenteeism. We have since donated full school uniform to 30 destitute learners of Umzinyathi Primary School and had also donated food parcels. We have also done minor renovations at the same primary school,” he said.

Mdluli said he aims to assist as many pupils as he can and to keep them at school.

“All I want is for them to get education and be able to change their situations one day. The initiative relies on financial assistance from business people, non-government organisations as well as family and friends,” he said.

Anele Mkhize, head of department at Silwane Primary School in Ngonweni, said there were seven pupils who were identified from their school.

“In this area there are a lot of child-headed families and the unemployment rate is high. The seven learners were from needy families and they all received food parcels which will go a long way for their families,” Mkhize said.

Mondli Mthembu, head of department at Umzinyathi Primary School, said the donation of food parcels and school uniform had boosted the pupils' self-esteem.

“He has put a smile on those children's faces. They don't have to miss classes because of the weather as they now have full school uniform. Mdluli and his team also renovated our kitchen.

“He has shown a spirit of ubuntu and restored hope in these learners. He might think he has done something small for them, but they will remember this for the rest of their lives,” he said.