There are many reasons that can results to a child not going to school

Leticia Dibetso

Letticia was born in Bronkospruit by her late father who was a builder. He passed and left his wife with 8 siblings, the mother who was a domestic worker. Due to her mom being unable to care for the 8 children, Letticia was one of the kids that were shared amongst family members. She was then sent to her father’s sister(aunt) who was married to a pastor and had 11 children of her own.

When Letticia left her parents’ home she was in the middle of Grade one. She was expected to be admitted in Mohlareng Primary School to continue her Grade one, however her aunt did not think it was necessary. She would wake up every morning to assist to prepare breakfast and lunch boxes for her cousins who were going to school. Her duties were to do the housework and wash the vegetables and go sell them to door-to-door.

Her senior sister used to visit and bring food and school essentials, thinking that she was at school. But one day she came during school hours and discovered that Letticia did not go to school. Letticia told her sister that since she arrived  by aunt’s place she has never been to school. She was severely beaten by her aunt for telling her sister the truth. She had to tell her sister that each time she sent or bought something that it was never given to her but instead her children were the beneficiaries of what her sister came with. Her aunt was then forced to go beg the school principal to admit her in the middle of the year to start Grade one. She took an empty sack of Iwisa , washed the branding off, and made her a school shirt out of that and went to school barefooted whilst  her cousins were in school uniform. “There are many reasons why a child will not go to school “

It is for this reason Letticia joined the foundation because she believes that there are still many of children that are wearing the ‘same shoes as her previous shoes’. This is the reason Letticia promised to work very hard to ensure that no child will experience what she went through. She fully understands the pain of her mother, when her mother finally knew that she has not been going to school all this while, my child was not attending school.

‘In the year 2003, I was job hunting and was given a job by Global Interface in Midrand. I was,  and I am still grateful to Mr Pat Nyathi who gave me an opportunity to work in his company as a tea girl. l was then promoted to receptionist. From receptionist to Event-Coordinator. It is here I was given an opportunity to further my studies at Damelin College. Thank you Mr Nyathi  and his organisation for sending me back to school as today I am a successful businesswoman”

“The reason why I joined hands with Mothers of the Nation Foundation is to extend the kindness that  Mr Nyathi offered to me to reach out to every child of our society who is currently experiencing similar hardships.”

Now the truth of the matter is that , you also can play the role of Mr or Mrs Nyathi in a child’s life. Help me to create impact.