Leratong Preschool

Peggy Chauke, a social worker, founded the school with very limited resources. She began to take in children whose parents were too sick to care for them. By providing one meal a day, clothing, and an education, a small ray of hope and love were given to children who might otherwise have little to look forward to.

As Alexandra suffered considerable violence under Apartheid, it was very difficult for Peggy to get support for her project. Once the new government under Nelson Mandela came to power, Peggy was able to bring potential supporters into Alexandra, as violent outbreaks subsided substantially. It was in the late 1990s that the Gumboots Foundation was introduced to Leratong and decided to be a supporter. Through Gumboots, Liza Lightfoot, one of Kidlinks founding members, was able to visit Leratong. It was during this visit that the concept of Kidlinks was born. Kidlinks is a separate organization, but the Gumboots Foundation presently administers all donations made from Kidlinks to Leratong Pre-School.

Since the inception of Kidlinks, Leratong has received support in a variety of ways, from helping to pay for a refrigerator, to granting funds for general administration, to school lunches and teachers salaries. In addition, Kidlinks has funded, built, and continues to maintain a food garden and children’s play area at the preschool. Currently, Leratong educates and cares for approximately 200 children.

Leratong is also an outreach organization, helping families whose children have attended Leratong or who have come to Leratong seeking help.

Kidlinks presently assists by sponsoring the Simelane family- Mandla (15 years) , Poena (13 years) and Delaphina (11 years) who were orphaned in 2006 and are presently being cared for by an unrelated “mother”. Leratong oversees the Simelane family. In partnership with the Gumboots Foundation, Kidlinks has upgraded the Simelane home to a safe and clean environment. Also, Kidlinks provides monthly payments to cover the cost of their food, clothing, and school fees.

Below is a beautiful story written by a Gumboots volunteer about a child who is presently receiving support through Leratong.

Bongani's Blessing

Little Bongani turned one and Peggy wanted him to have a church blessing – a great event celebrating his little life that he has fought so hard for.

For those of you who don’t know Bongani, he was found at the age of 8 days in a shack – wrapped in newspaper, covered in birth fluids, and sucking hard on his little fist. It was clear that he had not been fed at all from birth – and he was freezing cold. His poor mother, on the floor, was shortly to die of AIDS. Peggy, who had been taken there by a social worker, bundled him up & took him home. Fortunately a generous sponsor offered to pay for his medical bills as he had a traumatic 3 months in hospital undergoing tests (HIV negative!) & treatment for TB, respiratory problems & failure-to-thrive… and came home on oxygen for 3 more months. He is now busy catching up fast & happily with his milestones.

At the same time as the Bongani blessing, Peggy decided to bless the 7 children who live in a small wooden hut at Leratong under her guidance. They too are sponsored by the same “angel” and are all orphans from the AIDS pandemic – most of them suffering from HIV too. So a few of the Gumboots team joined them one Sunday at Pastor Peggy’s makeshift church in the centre of Alex – a tattered marquee with a great ambience that can seat about 1 000. As DA councillor, she was sporting a large blue T-shirt “Dankie – Thank you – Siyabonga Tony” – no cassock for her! The choir, soloists and big brass drums struck up, led by Sheena (Peggy’s daughter) who had been hiding her amazing voice under a bushel. And another unforgettable experience began – prayers, clapping, sharing, singing… for 3 hours or more.

Individually the children went up to the podium to be blessed by the Bishop & other pastors – a deeply moving moment. The Gumboots group were also required to stand up & be thanked – John responding with a very emotional speech where he promised that we would look after the orphans – on behalf of their mothers (this being Mothers’ Day). Along with many of the guests, I had tears streaming down my cheeks, at which point two of the little children reached into their pockets & pulled out crumpled tissues for me – which finished me off completely for the rest of the service. Life for them is hard but in spite of this, they still are able to show & share compassion at its deepest level.

I wish that some of you living far away could share in some of these special moments that Gumboots and Kidlinks have opened the door for.