The journey to distributing school shoes to 20 000 children in need across South Africa is in full swing. The #KrushGoodness project recently saw Rami Chuene and the Krush Goodness Krew visiting Boiketlo Primary School in Limpopo this week, where over 1000 learners received a brand new pair of Smart Steps school shoes as part of the project.
ALSO READ: Dineo Ranaka Visits Soweto And Donates 1000 School Shoes To Learners In Need
20 schools that received the most nominations by the public will be visited over the next few weeks by the Krush Goodness Krew, including: Connie Ferguson, Zenande Mfenyane, Dineo Ranaka, Lalla Hirayama, Letshego Zulu, Thembi Seete, Ayanda Thabethe, Leanne Manas, Brent “Good Things Guy” Lindeque, Shona Ferguson and Heather Hook.
According to Stats SA, approximately 70% of learners walk to school every day, many of whom walk barefoot or with damaged shoes. The #KrushGoodness project will make a sustainable difference in the lives of 20 000 learners across South Africa, giving them the confidence to conquer the world one step at a time.
We caught up with Rami Chuene shortly after her visit to Boiketlo Primary School this week.
• What drew you to participate in the #KrushGoodness project?
It is a project that speaks to my heart. Anything that is done in the name of making someone feel better by making their burden light is always welcome in my books. Making a difference in someone’s life- no matter how big or small- is a big deal. Knowing that I made someone’s day, contributed to their destiny, is what will always draw me to an initiative like #KrushGoodness
• What did you most enjoy about your school visit to Boiketlo Primary School in Limpopo?
Spending the day with the young ones, seeing their faces light up at the sight of new shoes brought me joy. And of course, the excitement, the noise and the beautiful vibe that came with spreading goodness.
• What, for you, is the biggest importance of helping our communities and children in particular?
It’s still a struggle for most parents to be able to meet their children’s needs and any form of help goes a long way. In townships and rural areas we have single parent homes and even child-headed homes that struggle with the bare minimum necessities. Helping our communities brings us together, it says to the communities that we see them and that they matter.
• Are you involved with any other community or CSI initiatives personally?
I do a lot of community work and the list might be a bit too long but I work with the School Aid South Africa to encourage literacy and reading in the townships. We help schools to renovate libraries, those without libraries we transform one on the classrooms then donate books.
I work with another disadvantaged school in the Vaal called Refalletse Primary school. There I have a group of friends and associates who help raise money to buy school uniforms for the young ones.
There’s also a Clothes Drive that I do with different churches where we collect 2nd hand clothes from friends and colleagues, sort the clothes out and hand them out accordingly.
There’s also a social responsibility of supporting different initiatives like:
- blood donation (SANBS)
- POWA
- SADAG
• Do you remember any celebrities coming to your school when you were a child?
I never had a celebrity come to my school but I once had a celebrity come to my house! I was about seven years old and this very well known, local TV actor pulled up and parked in front of our house. I was dumbfounded by his presence, then I got overwhelmed by the attention it brought me and my family. He had come to see my father – I don’t even know how they knew each other.
• What is the one piece of advice you have for young fans of yours?
My advice to the young ones is to never stop dreaming and believing and working hard at school. All that I was dreaming of doing and becoming has come true. Yes, dreams do come true.
• What does the rest of 2019 hold for you?
One can only be hopeful that the year holds great things. I’m a big dreamer and it would be great to see opportunities present themselves to meet with all my preparation and hardwork so we do magic.
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