Maselemo Mokoena

Community Youth Heroes

Nominee's Province:
Free State

Age:
28

Project Name/Description:
Happy Feet, Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas Carols

More info:
https://wa.me/27730967300

Giving back to the community is a trait Mokoena inherited from her parents. Born in QwaQwa, Free State, Mokoena, 29, says her mother owned a crèche and a soup kitchen, and after school and on weekends she would lend her helping hand. Also, once a month, she would assist her late father, a priest at the United Presbyterian Church, to hand out food parcels to the impoverished community members. Between 2018 and 2019 she worked as a centre manager and events coordinator for the Phelang Disability Home in Bloemfontein. She has been assisting non-profit organisations such as Sunflower Hospice, Childhood Cancer Foundation and Olesego Place of Safety, with events fundraising, marketing and administration. Armed with a diploma and a degree in Public Management from the Central University of Technology, Mokoena runs a few community outreach campaigns of her own, which are Happy Feet, Easter Egg Hunt, and Christmas Carols. Through Happy Feet, she raises funds to buy shoes, beanies, gloves and socks for pupils that walk barefoot to school in winter. She also hosts Early Christmas Carols where she gifts disadvantaged children with presents just before Christmas. The Easter Egg Hunt takes place a week before Easter and allows kids to run around hunting for Easter eggs, among other activities, and to be taught about Easter in the scripture. “Helping your community makes life better for your friends, family and other people who live where you live,” says Mokoena. Last year, Mokoena received a Community Builder of the Month award from Mangaung Issue newspaper for putting smiles on many people’s faces.