An impressive stall in Walthamstow central, which opens every Sunday next to the farmers’ market, is helping to make a difference to the lives of south Africans from the aids and HIV inflicted families to orphans and children who can’t afford to receive an education or even afford clothes or food even though they’re the basic necessities of life. This stall is a trustee of Waltham Forest Thuso (helping hands) which is a charity founded in 2006 by former members of the local Anti-Apartheid group. They share the inspirational vision that Nelson Mandela had that South Africa’s children are its greatest asset since they have the ability to change the future and make their community a better place by eradicating poverty step by step.
This stall, that is run by Elaine, Felicity and Alicia etc., make an exceptional contribution to help young people stay at school with the help of other additional supporters by sponsoring 50 students possessing great potential at Thuto Lesedi High school in Vosloorus, near Johannesburg, and paying their school fees. They also help raise money for a food programme which benefits over 500 children, providing lunch and weekend food parcels. Waltham Forest Thuso also sends thousands of books for the school library to help fill their shelves and minds with the valuable gift of knowledge. Since 2012 the charity has also helped children at rural Lobethal primary school in Limpopo, sending toys and clothes which are greatly appreciated by the students.
“Many children at the school are orphans who may not have anyone to look after them so the food provided by the school is the only meal they receive in the whole day!” states Elaine. Elaine also mentions how in Summer 2015 they contributed with a programme which sent their first batch of 50 solar lamps to the school, so that children could study at home and families can reduce the use of lethal kerosene lamps which emit a lot of carbon emissions that are bad for the environment and is a health hazard.
The stall fundraises for these projects by selling exotic, home-grown plants, handmade crafts and bric a brac. “We don’t get paid for our contributions as we volunteered and all the money is used for the programmes of the Waltham Forest Thuso.” Elaine tells me when I ask her about the stall. They also run stalls at local events, organise an annual fundraising garden party and are in the process of planning their second bike ride for charity after their very successful bike ride in September this year where enthusiastic volunteers took part.
You can help make a difference to the lives of south Africans and make Nelson Mandela’s vision a reality by buying from the stall and sponsoring a student or making a donation for any of the programmes. You can also volunteer to help out at this astounding stall. Visit www.thuso.org for additional information about the organisation and give a helping hand to South Africa.
Aishah Qureshi, Walthamstow Academy
