The South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) has donated 450 stationery packs to children in poor communities ahead of schools reopening on Monday February 15.
The children collected the stationery at the Retreat mosque last Thursday.
Sanzaf regional manager Shafiek Barendse said the children were also getting hygiene packs with a toothbrush, a brush and a face cloth.
The organisation, which is supported by yearly donations from Muslims, is appealing for R150 donations to buy more stationery. Children in Lavender Hill, Retreat, Manenberg, Steenberg, Seawinds, Pelican Park, Mitchell’s Plain and parts of the northern suburbs have been getting the packs.
Egshaan Ariefdien, a Sanzaf representative who operates from the Retreat mosque, said the organisation’s counselling service identified families in need.
“Many children are raised by their grandparents who can’t afford to buy them stationery,” he said, adding that Sanzaf also helped to feed children as they could not concentrate at school on empty stomachs.
Contact Shireen Kamaldien at 021 447 0297 to donate or for more information.