Breadline Africa Partners With PNA For The Funky Socks Day Initiative
Breadline Africa Partners With PNA For The Funky Socks Day Initiative. South Africa’s leading stationery and art materials retailer PNA is once again supporting the 2023 Funky Socks Day campaign, in collaboration with non-profit organisation (NPO) Breadline Africa in a combined bid to make a positive impact on early child development and improve schools in vulnerable communities across the country.
Chantelle Fritz, PNA marketing manager: “Our primary purpose is to build safe Early Childhood Development Centres throughout South Africa, giving every child the opportunity to start life purposefully and positively. It is our goal to upgrade existing schools and construct new ones to provide quality education for children aged one to six years old. Funky Socks Day holds a special significance as the campaign is launched around Mandela Day, which falls on 18th July – a day symbolising real and practical change.”
PNA and Breadline Africa are intensifying efforts this year by undertaking the construction of additional infrastructure to complete Lusemanzi Educare Centre established in 1997 in Orange Farm, Gauteng. Currently operating out of insufficient classroom space and only two toilets for its 200 learners, Lusemanzi urgently requires functional buildings and extra amenities.
The estimated cost of constructing the additional infrastructure, including ablutions, amounts to R1.5m. “This means we must sell just 150,000 stickers to ensure the little ones have a safe, warm facility to learn and grow in,” says Fritz. “Imagine all those funky socks on show at school, university and work on 8 September!”
Breadline Africa has partnered with PNA for the Funky Socks Day initiative for the past two years, says Marion Wagner, director Breadline Africa. “By purchasing Funky Socks Day stickers, South Africans have made valuable contributions to the campaign, funding the building and refurbishment of ECD centres in vulnerable communities. So far, the PNA-Breadline Africa collaboration on the Funky Socks Day campaign has successfully raised funds to rebuild five schools throughout South Africa. Lusemanzi Educare, a school registered in 1997 has, over the years, suffered both an arson attack and severe storm damage. But despite these challenges, principal Lorato Duma continues to run a successful centre, and is continuously improving the environment for her learners.”
“Funky Socks Day symbolises hope and progress for recipient schools. The campaign culminates in the handover of improved classrooms and amenities, providing a better learning environment for children, Wagner notes: “To date, we have provided more than 1,000 converted shipping containers and prefabricated facilities to resource-poor communities across the country and our impact extends to more than 250,000 children.”
In addition, Sock Doctor has pledged a significant contribution to Funky Socks Day, partnering with PNA and supporting Breadline Africa. For every active PNA store with a Sock Doctor stand on Funky Socks Day, the company will donate 250 pairs of school socks to a school of choice.
