Pepeneneng Primary School has today received 42 school shoes, bags

and trousers from Lebakeng Development Trust.The donation will be distributed amongst pupils according to their needs. Speaking at the event, Acting Principal, Mathato Lepheane expressed gratitude for the initiative defining the gesture as & miraculous.She revealed that there are many vulnerable children who misses school during snowy days because they do not have neither school shoes nor bags.She further said the help came at the right time.I am happy and I do not have enough words to express my gratitude.

Likhakeng Assistant Chief Pitso Rakolobe thanked the donors for the noble act saying There is hope that more good things are coming . Chairman of the trust, Mr. Moqeti Lekhetho said the non-profit making organisation founded by Ms. Ntsiuoa Sekete was established in January, 2024. He said it is not affiliated to any political party as it was established with the aim of helping vulnerable groups across all age groups amongst others.

He said it was not easy to achieve this and it is through determination and love that they succeeded to buy the gifts. Despite primary education being free, vulnerability in the district`s schools is said to be a common phenomenon that leads to children dropping out of school. Recently, Vodacom Lesotho Foundation donated 400 school shoes and socks to hundred and one primary schools in Qacha;s Nek following the District Education Office;s outcry.

Data indicates that children from the poorest wealth quintiles are the most disadvantaged and one in five children in rural areas of Lesotho is not attending school. According to UNICEF report, May 2023 child poverty is higher in rural areas with a rate of 72.6 percent compared to urban areas which is 61.2 percent.