Grade 9, Basa Combined school
Lwandi Matheba was a smart, young boy who had a very big heart. He resided in Franschoek Estate with both of his biological parents. His parents were set on making sure that even though they were as rich as they were, they would raise Lwandi to be as humble as one could be. Lwandi attended a very expensive and highly academic school which had all the technological and advanced resources needed for their students. He always got what he wished for and so did all his peers at school.
Lwandi and his parents decided to go on a family trip to the Eastern Cape where his relatives lived. His relatives did not have half as much as what Lwandi’s family had but they still made a living sufficient for their family’s survival. When they arrived in the town, Lwandi saw a group of children sitting outside under the scorching sun, on dirty chairs, arranged in crooked rows. They held small books and broken pencils in their hands, as they paid attention to a middle-aged woman talking to them. It appeared they were using the outdoors as their classroom. After seeing the old building with cracked walls, peeling paint, a broken roof, exposed electrical wires and broken glass windows temporarily fixed with seemingly useless tape, he immediately understood why they had to resort to using the outdoors as a classroom — the building was an unsafe environment for the children. Zoned out by what he had seen, he was woken up by the distinct call of his mother’s voice.
Lwandi and his parents entered their relatives’ home, warmly welcomed by Aunty Meriam and Uncle David. Lwandi ran to his cousin, and they began to play and chase each other around, giggling, not caring about anything else. His cousin, Filly, had always wanted to have the things that Lwandi had.
While Lwandi had store-bought toys, Filly had toys made from recyclable materials.
The night passed, and the morning came. They all woke up to the smell of soft porridge prepared by Aunt Meriam. They gathered together to eat. After breakfast, Filly and Lwandi decided to explore some places. As they were walking, Lwandi saw the school again. Compared to his school, it was not half as good. This made him feel the need to help even though he didn’t have much power to do so. They ran back home.
Lwandi called out for his mother. He told her what he had seen and asked how they could help. His parents were dumbfounded by what they heard. Lwandi pleaded with his parents to help the other children. They promised him that they would try and do something about the issue that he had pointed out. His father suggested giving a donation since he was a construction company-owner.
Lwandi’s parents gathered up some investors who were willing to make a big donation to the school. Big trucks that carried construction material arrived at the school and when Lwandi saw them, his smile stretched from ear to ear. The construction began and took a week to complete. Lwandi’s mother, who worked as an interior designer, decided to add her own touch to the building. Lwandi and Filly put up educational posters for the school children to read.
School time came and the children were amazed to see what had become of their classroom. They each had their own new desk and chair. They ran up to the posters in amazement. They had smiles on their faces and were all so thankful. The room was filled with joy in that moment. The students and the teacher were content with what they saw.
Lwandi gave them all toys as one last gift from him, and he was befriended by all the children. His parents were very proud to have raised such a pure-hearted child.
The parents of the school children and the whole community were very grateful to Lwandi for having helped them so much. He became known as the Little One who made a big difference.