Ntsebeng Motsoeli
QUTHING — It was a moment that brought smiles on the faces of the 75 school children and their grateful teachers at Metoloaneng Primary School.
It restored dignity to the poor children who for months had been forced to either walk barefooted or go through the indignity of wearing torn shoes to school.
Thanks to Afrisam Lesotho, a local cement manufacturing company, these students at Metoloaneng Primary School in Ha-Rasepelemane village in Quthing can now walk with a spring in their step after they were handed their new pairs of shoes on Friday.
The company donated brand new shoes to all 75 pupils at the school as part of the company’s social responsibility programme.
Quthing lies about 200 kilometres south of the capital Maseru.
Ha-Rasepelemane village is still grappling to shake off poverty, a common phenomenon in most villages in Lesotho.
It was not a surprise then that 10-year-old Lieketseng was beside herself with joy after she was handed her own pair of shoes.
“I am happy,” Lieketseng says shyly as she tries her new pair of shoes.
She says although her mother had tried to buy her new shoes, she had struggled to fulfill her promise because of other pressing commitments.
Lieketseng says missing school will now be a thing of the past.
“Sometimes I do not come to school when my shoes and clothes are no longer in a good state,” she says.
The school’s principal ’Maneo Mosae says it is common for most students to miss school because of lack of shoes and proper clothing.
“Most children come from very poor families who cannot afford to buy clothes for their children.
“In some cases some children stay at home because they feel out of place when they come to school barefooted when others have shoes,” Mosae says.
She says this was the reason why they are grateful to Afrisam for the donation.
“I am very thankful to Afrisam for the donation. They have given us classrooms and now this! The children are happy. This will hopefully boost their interest in attending school regularly,” Mosae says.
This was not the first time that Afrisam had come to the school’s aid.
Last year, the company donated building materials for the construction of the three-roomed metal structure that is used as classrooms.
The classrooms are a virtual “paradise” as compared to the worn-out tent the school was using in the past to conduct lessons.
A senior Afrisam representative from South Africa, Tsolo Liale, could not hold back his tears during the handover ceremony.
“I cry because I am happy for you,” Liale tearfully told the pupils.
“This is worth doing. I hope that you will work hard in your school work so that you have a brighter future and make a difference in people’s lives.”
The head of Afrisam in Lesotho, Thato Tšoene, said the company is already planning to build a kitchen, a storeroom and perhaps toilets for the school.
“This is our way of contributing to the development of children in Lesotho. Next year we promise to build a kitchen and storeroom.
“We will continue to be with you in any way we can,” Tšoene says.