A Lavender Hill NPO ensured several boys from the area were neat and tidy for their first day back at school.
Guardians of the National Treasure (GNT) in partnership with the Cape Flats Development Association (CAFDA) held their annual cut-a-thon during which they give school boys a free haircut for the beginning of the school year which starts today, Wednesday January 9.
GNT founder Ralph Bouwers founder of GNT said more than 80 children had their spirits lifted, got a toothbrush and toothpaste and had their hair trimmed.
This is the third year the initiative has been run and is hosted from Mr Bouwers’ home in Hillview. Mr Bouwers said there was a need in the community as parents can’t afford to send their children to a barber shop.
“Lavender Hill is a very impoverished community. We at GNT help them with basic needs which include food, after-school and holiday programmes and other things but with the school term starting we wanted them to also look and feel good, proud and motivated,” said Mr Bouwers.
He said children who go to school without a haircut are often made fun of and feel left out.
“We try to give them a boost at the beginning of the year to make them feel like it’s one less thing they have to worry about and they start their school year off right,” he said.