DZINGAHE – More than 100 orphans and vulnerable learners of Dengenya High School at Dzingahe village, north of Thohoyandou, received food and blankets at a special function held at the school last Wednesday.

The learners who benefited are those without parents, and those whose parents are too poor to afford basic needs.

The function was organised by Mr Tshililo Alidzulwi, the school principal. He explained how it came into being. “We identified poor kids and approached Mr Amie Chhaya to assist us with the donations. He agreed to our proposals with entusiasm and that is why we held this function. Each of the benefiting learners received a 12,5kg bag of maize meal and a blanket. It has never been easy to teach a hungry child and that is why we decided to assist the poor kids in this school.”

When presenting the donations, Chhaya said it is the collective responsibility of all community members to eradicate poverty and hunger. He said he will continue to offer assistance to the poor so that they may enjoy life like other people.

“I believe the donations will help the kids in their academic performance because we have managed to meet some of their basic needs. I further encourage other community members to get down and fight against this poverty war for the bright future of our kids.”

One of the learners who benefited from the donations, Mavu Rembavha, said she is happy to know that there are people who are warm-hearted towards the poor and vulnerable kids in her school. “We thank Mr Chhaya for the donations and we pray that God gives him more days, because he is the only hope for the poor. Now I will be able to study comfortably because I have something to eat and to protect myself against the cold winter.”

*During the function, Chhaya also donated groceries towards the funeral of Ailwei Jameson Dzebu, father of Mirror correspondent, Wilson Dzebu. The funeral service took place at Makonde village on Saturday.