Lebohang Leuta

Community Youth Heroes

Nominee's Province:
Gauteng

Age:
30

Project Name/Description:
Atlehang Foundation

More info:
https://web.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Atlehang-foundation-102394661182334/?_rdc=1&_rdr

“You will never know the importance of giving until you go without.” These are the words of Lebohang Leuta, an inspired community hero from Pimville in Soweto. Although unemployed, Leuta wishes to be the change that she wants to see. In 2019, Leuta, 30, founded Atlehang Foundation to support families raising children with special needs. Her son, Atlehang, was born with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder of the nervous system that affects how nerve cells form and grow. The foundation, which she operates from home, also runs outreach programmes to better the living conditions in her community. During the worst of Covid-19 last year, Leuta sourced protective masks on credit and distributed them for free to those in need. She also ran soup kitchens, donated sanitary towels to needy girls and women and continued to preach against gender-based violence, one of the foundation’s evergreen themes. Leuta mostly self-finances her initiatives. She also gets some support from well-wishers. “I can’t say I grew up struggling, but I grew up seeing people around me struggle. I saw my mother cook and feed people from a tiny pocket; that’s where I got my inspiration. I love seeing others smile. It brings me so much joy,” Leuta says.