UCE donates to orphan

UCE runs a programme, code named “Doing Good Programme” which was launched in October last year by a group of students in the Religious and Moral Education department led by lecturers Mrs Cynthia Moyo and Mr and Mrs Brilliant Sithole.
It hopes to improve the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children who are finding it difficult to go to school.
It was all smiles for young Loveletter Dube of 11112 Cowdray Park as she received the donation with the aid of her family.
Loveletter, a pupil at Tategulu Primary School in Cowdray Park, received school uniform, jersey, a pair of socks, school shoes and groceries.
The college’s intake 10 students made the donation after its product Mr Hlatheni Maphosa identified her while doing his teaching practice at the school as part of the training where students have to identify vulnerable children on behalf of the school.
A member of the community Mr Dale Mlalazi also donated towards the upkeep of the girl.
Speaking at a touching occasion in Cowdray Park yesterday, Mr Maphosa said:
“As I was teaching at Tategulu I saw the girl and noticed she was an orphan with both her parents late. I was touched when I saw that her uniform was torn and she had no school shoes.
“I took this to college and told Mr Mlalazi and Mrs Moyo who accepted that we should assist her. I am happy today that we are here assisting her as our friend,” he said.
Her grandmother, Mrs Busani Ncube who spoke on behalf of the family said she was grateful, as the donation had alleviated their plight.
“On behalf of the family, I’m really grateful for what you have done for my granddaughter and the family. Loveletter is an orphan and is among the four orphans we are taking care of as a family and as if that is not enough the breadwinner is admitted at Mpilo Central hospital.
“This donation comes as a relief to some of the problems we are faced with. I could not afford to buy her a new uniform but I am happy today because now she has one and can go to school like other children,” said Mrs Ncube, while wiping off tears.
Mrs Moyo said students appreciated the hardships pupils were facing in schools they were attached to.
“We launched this programme last year when a group of our students who were coming from teaching practice acknowledged the difficulties they faced and identified poverty as the cause of those difficulties.
“They felt challenged to do something for the underprivileged children than to just teach them. The idea was borrowed from the Bible in the Acts of the Apostles where people helped each other,” said Mrs Moyo.
Rachel Ndlovu, speaking on behalf of students said that this was their second donation since last year.
“Our first donation went to a boy called Hubert Gatsi who we helped with groceries worth about $60 and we agreed to pay his school fees until he finishes Grade Seven,” said Rachel.
The college appealed to well wishers to assist so the programme does not die.
“We extend our voice to the public who wish to assist, to contact Doing Good Programme at the RME department at UCE so that we change needy children’s lives for the better,” said Mrs Moyo.
Mr George French, of Forever Living Products based in the United States, graced the event.