When you look at Kiara-Leigh Thomas, you see a normal five-year-old child \u2013 a young girl full of the joys of life.<\/p>\n
If you look closer you will find a child with a kind soul and the will to help others, a young community hero.<\/p>
The Grade R learner at Smiley Kids Primrose Pre-Primary has a great love and respect for the elderly.<\/p>\n
And this has turned into a wish to aid elderly citizens.<\/p>
\u201cMy mom told me that if I collect plastic bottle tops I will be able to get a wheelchair for a grandma or a grandpa,\u201d Kiara-Leigh said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I want to collect so many bottle tops that I can help 100 grandmas and grandpas who can\u2019t walk.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut for now I will make sure I help at least one granny and one granddad.\u201d<\/p>\n
The idea for collecting bottle tops came when Kiara-Leigh\u2019s mother Nicita-Nicole was researching ways to start recycling.<\/p>\n
She came across the initiative on the Interwaste website and if Kiara-Leigh can collect a certain weight in bottle tops a wheelchair will be donated to an NPO of her choice.<\/p>\n
Nicita-Nicole said, \u201cShe is taking her challenge very seriously and we are so proud of her for putting her own wants and needs aside to take part in something which gives back to the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is always looking for ways to help others, for example, last year she collected clothes for a young boy in need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kiara-Leigh started collecting the bottle tops at the start of the school year and is doing well so far.<\/p>\n
However, if she wants to reach her goal of getting at least two wheelchairs she needs the help of the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am asking people to please help me by giving me their bottle tops,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen I can help the grandmas and grandpas.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kiara-Leigh loves to spend time with her own grandparents Katy and Tony de Jesus, who live in Primrose, and Antwa Freyermuth, who also stays in the suburb.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Siblings find each other 59 years later<\/a><\/p>\n Rest-a-While bids a fond farewell to couple<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Her other granddad, Darius Fourie, lives in Ireland so unfortunately she does not get to see him on a regular basis.<\/p>\n Kiara-Leigh also enjoys spending time with her mom, her dad Kyle, brother Blake (1) and the family pet Trompie, a yellow ringneck parrot.<\/p>\n \u201cMy brother Blake is very cute but very naughty,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cI do like to help look after him though.\u201d<\/p>\n When she is not busy with her project the youngster loves to sing and hopes to become a singer one day.<\/p>\n The school is also helping Kiara-Leigh collect bottle tops and the children bring them in on a regular basis.<\/p>\n For Easter, they have asked children to bring a packet of bottle tops each for the cause to assist Kiara-Leigh.<\/p>\n To help get her to her goal the public is welcome to drop off plastic bottle tops at the school situated at 14 Poplar Street, Primrose, during office hours.<\/p>\n Alternatively, contact Nicita-Nicole on 071 177 7444 or email her at nicita.fourie@gmail.com<\/p>\n \u201cI know that when I give those grandmas and grandpas who can\u2019t walk their wheelchairs they are going to be happy,\u201d Kiara-Leigh said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n