Mam Peggy has a big heart for the children of Alexandra

Mam’ Peggy Chauke is one woman who is determined to make a difference in the lives of poor children in Alexandra, next to Sandton. 

 Although Alexandra, affectionately known as Alex or Gomorrah, is next to one of South Africa’s affluent suburbs, high levels of poverty and unemployment have plagued the community.

 Mam’ Peggy’s organisation, Leratong Joy for One Foundation, has helped by relieving a heavy burden on parents’ shoulders which includes putting a meal to pre-schoolers and a shelter for orphaned children.

 Some of the children are orphans and bear the responsibility of caring for their siblings while juggling school and other after-school activities they are involved in – if they can even afford the time to engage in those extracurricular activities. 

 “Most of the pre-schoolers living conditions are utterly appalling; they live in one-roomed shacks with not even the basic of amenities and often with no parents. Many of them are being brought up by siblings as young as twelve and thirteen, who themselves are in dire need of support – physically, mentally, materially, emotionally, and educationally,” the organisation said.

 Initially, Leratong Joy for One was designed to be a pre-school but due to the demand, mam’ Peggy was decided to create a space that would be used as an orphanage home so she can house 23 children and young people she has adopted.  

 According to the organisation, she has had little or no help over 20 years she has been running both the pre-school and the orphanage.

 “Peggy has carried this load on her shoulders for the past 20 years with little or no help. She has been the only shining light and ray of hope in these destitute children’s lives. She started the orphanage when she saw a deep need in the community. This is a drop in the ocean of the number of children crying out for help. She could take hundreds, maybe thousands more if she had the resources,” the organisation said.

 The organisation said it is appealing for help from businesses, the government, and individuals who can help in any way possible.

 “Your involvement and assistance can help us make a difference. We believe that the future of our wonderful country is vested in providing the youth of SA with the best opportunities in health and education that they can get. In the short term, however, along with your help, we can put food into the stomachs of these children, clothe them and give keep them warm during winter, help educate them and to stop the further damage of malnutrition and abuse,” it said. 

 Mam’ Peggy said her for the community of Alexandra is to provide for the long-term needs of these children. 

“The need is to help these children in the entire community of Alex, to give them shelter, food, care, and education, to protect them from the rampant crime, drug and sexual abuse that is their everyday lives,” mam’ Peggy said, adding that contributions would make this to happen.

 Through a trusted committee set up by the board of the organisation, a trust fund will be administered and facilitated on an ongoing basis, a website will be created where donors will be able to donate electronically and the organisation aims to keep all records of this fund and it will be made available to those who request it for auditing purposes. 

 Mam’ Peggy said she hopes people would open their hearts and assist the organisation to keep more and more children safe.

Editor’s note: Children are the future of this country, when people like mam’ Peggy Chauke go the extra mile to help orphaned and vulnerable children, we should support their causes. Mam’ Peggy is one of many sheroes who go uncelebrated but it should be the case – we should celebrate her when she still can see how valued she is. A gift to the people of Alexandra. 

Description:  Mam’ Peggy’s organisation, Leratong Joy for One Foundation, has helped by relieving a heavy burden on parents’ shoulders which includes putting a meal to pre-schoolers and a shelter for orphaned children.

Editor: Thato Mahlangu

Project manager: Anirlé de Meyer