Constable Laurianne Botha’s heart was deeply saddened when she found out that many children in her town would not receive Christmas gifts due to lack of money this year and so she took it upon herself to distribute as many toys as she could.
Mossel Bay, South Africa – Constable Laurianne Botha from the Groot-Brakrivier Police Station in Mossel Bay went viral on Christmas Day for her beautiful act of kindness!
The Mossel Bay Advertiser posted the photos of the passionate Policewoman spreading joy and cheer to kids in the community on Christmas day.
The deteriorating financial health of households and individuals under the weight of economic pressures in South Africa has resulted in a massive increase in the poverty levels especially to the community surrounding Mossel Bay, according to the Poverty Trends in South Africa report released by Statistics South Africa. The recent report cites rising unemployment levels, low commodity prices, higher consumer prices, lower investment levels, household dependency on credit, and policy uncertainty as the key contributors to the economic decline in recent times. These recent findings indicate that the country will have to reduce poverty at a faster rate than previously planned.
According to the report the categories of people vulnerable to poverty remained to be African females, children 17 years and younger, people from rural areas, and those with no education.
Statistics SA released their annual update to the poverty lines in August this year and stated that 60% of South Africans earn less than R1227 per month (which is known as the upper-bound poverty line), and within that category, 26% of South Africans earn less than R560 a month (which is known as the food poverty line).
“Imagine living off just R18 a day to feed yourself and your family.”
Researchers believe that for a South African to live with a basic level of dignity, they require R7630 a month. That would cover food, electricity, school fees and products to keep yourself clean. Taking that into consideration would mean that in reality, 90% of South Africans live below the poverty line as only 10% of the country earn more than R7630 per month.
Constable Laurianne Botha’s heart was deeply saddened when she found out that many children in her town would not receive Christmas gifts due to lack of money this year and so she took it upon herself to distribute as many toys as she could.
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“I just wanted to put a smile on their faces.”
Check out some of the photos below:
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