The school became part of the Oliver Twist Project when the headmistress of the school, Mrs. Ruby Flores, approached the newspaper for help in obtaining school shoes for the learners. Flores informed the editor, Elize Blom, that several parents are struggling to make ends meet, and as a result shoes are not a priority.
Huge was the surprise when Mrs. Retha Perry from Hermanus read about the school's need in the South Cape FORUM while visiting Stilbaai for the weekend. She decided to donate R500 towards this project.
Not long after this kind and much appreciated donation, Miss Leonora Kruger, from Johannesburg, also visiting family in Stilbaai became aware of the plight for shoes for Melkhoutfontein Primary while reading the South Cape FORUM.
The Editor was contacted by Leonora inquiring about the project and indicated that she will contact her friend, Billy Perez from the United Kingdom, to inform him about the project. Elize referred her to Lorraine Verhagen from the George Herald, Personal Assistant to the Operations Director of the company, Mrs. Nicole Rimbault for further assistance.
Shortly afterwards, Lorraine contacted Elize with the wonderful news that Billy indicated that he will donate the outstanding balance for the much needed shoes. Lorraine contacted Linda from 'Sam's Clothing' who offered a very good discount for the shoes. After confirming with Billy and Leonora that a fair price was offered for the shoes they immediately transferred the outstanding balance to purchase the 106 pairs of school shoes!
Leonora and Billy have been friends for many years after they met at a function in 2007 at the South-African Embassy in London. Leonora informed South Cape FORUM that when she told Billy about the desperate need of the children of Melkhoutfontein Primary, he immediately decided to get involved and sponsor the money for the shoes. According to Leonora, Billy's father was raised in Spain after the Spanish Civil War. As a child he also experienced not having shoes as they were very poor, and lived in a small Spanish village. Billy grew up treasuring this story as it taught him the important lesson that not everyone is fortunate to have shoes on their feet.
Surprise! Surprise!
Friday morning, 25 October South Cape FORUM visited Melkhoutfontein Primary to surprise the children and school principal with the 106 pairs of brand new school shoes! Greeted by smiling children the boxes of shoes were unloaded and handed over to the principal and two teachers, Debri-Lee De Jager and Belinda Wagenaar. The delight and pleasure on the small faces was reward enough for making a small change in the lives of children.
Ruby Flores thanked Group Editors and South Cape FORUM for the Oliver Twist Project which initiated the kind sponsorship from Retha, Leonora and Billy - a true trio of angels.
She further emphasised that both the children and parents are very thankful for such an enormous gift. "To have joy, one must share it; happiness was born a twin..." - Lord Byron.
View more photos here.
The editor of South Cape FORUM, Elize Blom (left) with the headmistress of Melkhoutfontein Primary, Mrs. Ruby Flores during the handing over of the shoes.
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