In a bid to reduce the drop-out rate among learners, the My Walk Initiative, launched by Adcock Ingram Critical Care in collaboration with Netcare and supported by national fibre network operator Vuma, has donated 200 pairs of school shoes to learners at Lucretia Intermediate School and Roodepan Primary School in Kimberley.
IN A BID to reduce the drop-out rate among learners, the My Walk Initiative, launched by Adcock Ingram Critical Care in collaboration with Netcare and supported by national fibre network operator Vuma, has donated 200 pairs of school shoes to learners at Lucretia Intermediate School and Roodepan Primary School in Kimberley.
The initiative addresses the issue by recycling medical waste materials into school shoes, which are then donated to underprivileged communities.
Vuma’s head of marketing, Taylor Kwong, emphasised the significant impact that a lack of necessary school supplies and uniforms can have on learners’ futures.
“Many issues prevent learners from attending school, including a lack of appropriate shoes. This can have a detrimental impact on their academic achievement and confidence, prompting them to drop out. Dropping out of school has a long-term impact on the country’s economy and the individual. It may affect their self-esteem and decrease their motivation, resulting in a lack of access to higher education, fewer job opportunities and lower wages,” said Kwong.
Roodepan Primary School principal, Maureen Ludick, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the much-needed donation.
“It brings me so much joy to see young kids receiving new pairs of school shoes, enabling them to focus on their studies and enjoy social settings with their friends. We are grateful for this collaboration because these shoes not only restore the children’s dignity and confidence but also eliminate their worry of being bullied for wearing torn shoes, and helps keep them at school,” Ludick said.
Ludick added that such donations not only benefit the recipients but also help the country by producing more change agents who can improve conditions for the better.
The learners at Roodepan Primary School reported that the new shoes have boosted their confidence and allowed them to focus on their academics.
