Orphans and vulnerable children in Mitchell’s Plain received a major boost ahead of the 2016 academic year, when Islamic Relief South Africa (IRSA) distributed much needed schooling essentials to those students most in need. The humanitarian relief group visited the crime and poverty-hit area on Tuesday to distribute supplies, a day before children head back for the first day of the new school year.

IRSA’s “Back to School” project is part of a broader campaign that includes a one-to-one sponsorship and general fund program where the organisation aims to raise funds to ensure that orphans and vulnerable children have access to quality education.

“The idea has been to raise some money so that we can ensure these kids have uniforms, school books, bags and stationery; everything they would basically need to ensure they go into the new school year feeling positive, so that they can focus on the schoolwork more than worrying about how they are going to do that schoolwork,” explained IRSA communications manager, Shanaaz Ebrahim.

The project, launched in late November 2015, is a nationwide campaign and has already seen IRSA distribute “ready for school” kits to around 1350 children across the country, in areas including Ennerdale, Pietermaritzburg, Umbumbulu, Wyebank, Tafelsig and Khayelitsha.

“In total we have more than 1300 children that is are our direct right-holders benefactors, as well as their siblings that are also in households with them, that will be benefiting from the Back to School campaign,” Ebrahim noted.

For more information on the various campaigns run by IRSA throughout the year, visit http://www.islamic-relief.org.za/. Alternatively you contact the organisation via the toll free number 0800 111 898. You may also visit their offices directly at 396 Imam Haron Road, Landsdowne. VOC