Schoolwear project boosts pupils’ self-esteem

Alicia English|Published 7 months ago

From left: Grade 6 pupil Ashlyn Newman helps Qadira Maddat with her new school shoes.

From left: Grade 3 classmates Ngqiqo Mkungane and Cade Matthys were thrilled to receive a new pair of school shoes.

From left: Pastor Ebon Potts of Assembly of God church in Scottsville, Pastor Wilhelm Jansen, school governing body chairperson of Petunia Primary in Kraaifontein, Sabastian Haricombe and Ralph Haricombe during a recent handover at the school.

Hope Schoolwear Project are teaching primary school pupils to pay it forward, one pair of school shoes at a time.

The non-profit organisation, founded in 2016 by Bridgetown resident Sabastian Haricombe, 36, donated 26 pairs of new school shoes to Wavecrest Primary pupils in Rocklands last week. It has been supporting the school since its first visit in 2022.

Abigail Fredericks, acting head of Wavecrest Primary’s foundation phase, said the donation has built their pupils’ self-esteem.

“We really appreciate the donation from Hope Schoolwear Project. Many of our kids come to school with broken school shoes. It’s winter, their feet are wet and automatically they are cold the whole day.

“Joining up with the organisation has really impacted our learners positively. Their feet are warm, they don’t feel like outcasts or anxious about getting into trouble for not wearing school shoes anymore,“ she said.

Last year, Wavecrest Primary pupils and staff raised nearly R6 200 through collection tins in support of Hope Schoolwear Project.

“We previously supported the school’s gymnastics team with care packs for a trip to Pretoria. Last year, they helped us raise funds through collection tins, and in February, we donated 600 packs of sanitary towels to the school,” said Mr Haricombe.

“We are creating a mindset among learners that it doesn’t matter how young they are, even if they are in Grade R, when they see a friend needs a pair of shoes, they can help their friend. The kids fill up collection tins, helping us to generate more money to donate schools shoes,” he explained.

Mr Haricombe said the organisation hopes to make a lasting impact on Grade 7 pupils.

“We are sending them off to high school with a mindset to go and make a difference, and to see how they can help others when they leave school,” he said.

Mr Haricombe, a reformed gangster and drug addict, said apart from donating school shoes, the organisation also does motivational talks at schools to deter children from falling prey to gangsterism and substance abuse.

“I came from a struggle lifestyle and know what it is like to go to school with broken shoes. Growing up in Manenberg, my dad was in prison and my mother had to work for us. I dropped out of school at the age of 12 and lived a life of gangsterism and drugs. In 2008, I made a life-changing decision and left that world behind,” he recalled.

Mr Haricombe’s father, Ralph, 65, also turned his life around. In 2012, the duo started doing motivational talks at Manenberg schools, warning pupils about the dangers of gangsterism and drugs. They have since been spreading their message of hope and donating school shoes to primary school pupils in Athlone, Bridgetown, Bellville-South, Uitsig, Atlantis, Pella, Mamre, Darling and Kraaifontein.

"We want to encourage the next generation to make something of their lives. We don’t just donate school shoes, we also help parents buy school shoes at more affordable prices. This is how we can live up to our motto, ‘Helping others prosper everywhere’,” he concluded.

Primary schools that wish to connect with Hope Schoolwear Project can reach Sabastian Haricombe on 071 098 6787.