Liefde en Vrede resident devotes her time to better the lives of the less fortunate
According to Neo, it is the little things like giving back with love that sets us apart.
IT took one visit to a school with underprivileged children in Pimville, Soweto, to push Neo Mokori into taking action and giving back to communities. The 20-year-old from Liefde en Vrede then had only one aim in life – to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate, and Spread Love Foundation was established.
According to Neo, it is the little things like giving back with love that sets us apart.
“At the school, I saw children who had no uniforms, shoes, stationery or lunch boxes and some wearing torn T-shirts, school jerseys and school trousers,” said Neo.
“There are too many people with no form of shelter, clothing or food.”
In a nutshell
The foundation is based in Johannesburg and the members work from their respective homes. However, Neo wishes to expand to other parts of the country.
Spread Love Foundation has helped children at Amazing Grace Children’s Home in Eikenhof by donating clothes and hosting a belated Christmas party in January.
“We changed their meals for the day and served them from our own pockets. Their caretakers had a day off because we also spent the whole day with the children,” added Neo.
Spread Love Foundation has also touched the lives of the children at St Mary’s Children’s Home in Rosettenville, where they donated clothing and spent time with the children.
They recently held a Sanitary Drive at Ekurhuleni School for the Deaf in Katlehong.
Some of last year’s initiatives included an Easter egg drive at Tshepong Stimulation Centre in Katlehong, a blanket drive at eKhaya Overnight Shelter in Hillbrow and uniform donations to Glenbrack High School in Alberton as well as Tsbedisano Primary School in Soweto.
Spread Love Foundation joined the Hive Consultancy family in December 2017, as the Outreach Division.
“Being young and wanting to change the world for the better can be difficult, so we’re happy to have a team as determined as ours. The quote ‘be the change you want to see’ would best describe the spirit of the team behind the Spread Love Foundation.
“We best serve our community by taking ideas and turning them into life-changing realities.”
The future
Neo is pursuing media studies at Boston Media House and hopes her media skills will enable her and the foundation to reach a wider audience to make people aware of the foundation and what it does.
She said her mother has been her source of strength, encouragement and motivation in fighting for the survival of the foundation.
“My mother is very supportive and helpful. Since she is a teacher and works with children every day, she always advises what to buy at times,” said Neo.”
People can donate old school uniforms that are still in good condition.
“The uniforms will be given to less fortunate children whose parents cannot afford uniforms,” said Neo.
“Although we have not hosted a fund-raising event yet, we are planning to do it this year,” added Neo.
“I would like to see myself working with other big companies in helping the less fortunate people in our country and also to spread the organisation across the country through collaboration and partnership with companies who would like to reach out,” said Neo.
What started out as a one-woman-show now consists of four young women who are dedicated to their cause. It also has the backing of Hive Consultancy, a growing branding and events management consultancy.
You can help
“If people want to donate financially, they can send any amount they wish and must tell us what we must buy for the children. We will do as we are told and provide them with proof of purchase, etc.,” she said.
People can leave a message on the foundation’s website or contact them if they want to make a donation.
The foundation is appealing to the public to donate or assist through sponsorship. You can also volunteer your time to help throughout the day when there’s an event, for example, cleaning and cooking.
“Everyone is welcome to join in helping the foundation so we can work together to help the underprivileged,” she said.
Visit the website spreadlove.hiveconsult.co.za or email spreadlove@hiveconsult.co.za for more information.
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
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