“Second-year PR students from VUT bring hope to Kgahliso Children’s Home through a heartfelt outreach, showing the power of youth-led community impact.”
13 October 2025 | Story By: Thabisang Thebeeapelo | Picture: Supplied.
2 minutes read time.
On 4 October 2025, second year Public Relations Management students from the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) brought joy and hope to the children at Kgahliso Children’s Home in Bophelong through a heartfelt community outreach event.
The group, known as United Minds, is made up of nine passionate students who organised the initiative to share care, kindness, and a sense of belonging with the children. As part of their curriculum, second year PR students are required to collaborate with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to gain practical experience in community engagement. For United Minds, partnering with Kgahliso Children’s Home was both a meaningful and natural choice.
“We chose Kgahliso because of our deep love for children and our desire to make a meaningful difference in their lives,” said Nqobile Sithole, one of the group members. “We didn’t just want to fulfil an academic requirement; we wanted to do something truly impactful.”
To bring their vision to life, the group raised funds among themselves and received generous sponsorship from VUT AQUA, which helped make the day even more special. Together, they provided essential items such as food, school uniforms, and entertainment materials for the children. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, music, and heartfelt connections as the students spent the day playing games, sharing stories, and inspiring the young ones.
The journey to success, however, was not without challenges. Buyiswa Kobeli, another member of United Minds, reflected: “While preparing for the event, we struggled with limited time and couldn’t secure as many sponsors as we had hoped. But we stayed committed and resourceful, pooling our own funds and working together to make it happen.”
The highlight of the day was a touching message from Ms Salamina Mokgate, founder of Kgahliso Children’s Home, who expressed deep appreciation for the students’ efforts.
“I am happy to see students from VUT. Thank you for coming here today to show my children the importance of going to school and that they should not allow their backgrounds to determine their future. Thank you so much for putting smiles on their faces. I truly appreciate the donation, and may God bless you.”
Through their compassion and teamwork, the United Minds demonstrated the transformative power of student-led initiatives and reaffirmed VUT’s commitment to community engagement and social responsibility. Their efforts not only uplifted the children of Kgahliso but also embodied the spirit of service that defines the VUT learning experience.