The Liremi Foundation believes that if pupils in the region are motivated, nothing can hold them back from achieving great marks and changing their lives for the better through education.

When schools recently reopened, the foundation embarked on a journey to motivate pupils from various schools in the region. They started off by visiting Masedi Combined School in Tshikota, with the aim of motivating pupils to focus on their studies. The foundation’s chairperson, Mr Phathutshedzo Liremi, said if pupils were inspired to focus on their studies, nothing could hold them back.

Through their campaign they have learned that certain challenges exist at the schools they had visited. They found challenges such as shortages of classes and pupils who did not have proper school uniforms. “We were concerned about the challenge of learners who were studying under trees at Masedi Combined School. For that matter we have alerted the Department of Education in Limpopo,” said Mr Liremi. The foundation had appointed the current Miss Makhado, Unarine Sinwamali, to be their ambassador. 

She was also concerned about the school’s dilapidated infrastructure. “Most windows of the school’s building are shattered and doors are decayed. I wonder how children cope during severe weather conditions such as during rainy days,” said Sinwamali.

The Liremi Career Foundation and Miss Makhado had planned to adopt the school for the next two years. This will ensure that the school performs well, despite the dire situation.

A few of the pupils also received full school uniforms from the foundation. “The main aim of the Back to School campaign was to ensure that, as soon as the schools had reopened, learners were in class learning and teachers were in class teaching,” said Liremi.

Some of the schools that were visited include Madaheni Combined School, Milige Secondary School, Shongozwi Secondary School, Sintumule High School and Maluta Secondary School.