Socks for a good cause
"Many people in the country live in poverty. I give people the opportunity to help the children. When they buy a pair of my Kasi Socks, I donate a pair to a vulnerable child."For just N$50, you and a child get a pair of socks. We need to move away from the mentality of just wanting to make money and move back to humanity and giving back to the community we come from," said Akuumba Andreas (19), the founder of Kasi Socks.
Andreas was born in Ondobe in the North and started grade 1 there.
"At the beginning of my grade 2 year, my family and I moved to Walvis Bay and in school they called me Andreas. I have always been called Andreas and when I was little I thought that was my name. Now everyone still calls me Andreas, even though it's actually my last name."
Andreas grew up in Kuisebmond's informal settlement.
"When there was no food in the house or my mother worked late, my sister and I went to eat at the Promiseland soup kitchen. We did not know the name of the place; we just called it the soup place. That's how long I've known Promiseland."
In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Andreas started an ice cream business at his mother's home.
"It was summer and summer months in Walvis Bay are hot. I bought and sold the ice cream, containers and cones. Then winter came and the business stopped doing well. Then I started thinking about the idea of socks. However, I didn't have the capital to start."
Andreas sold his old mobile phone to a friend for N$150 and bought and sold his first pair of socks.
“The business started to take off and I decided to call it Kasi Socks. Kasi is the place where I grew up. When people in the village ask us where we live, we always say there in the kasi.”
The people of Kuisebmond supported him and his business and the idea of "buy one, donate one" took hold.
"I don't give the socks to the children myself. I leave it in the hands of organisations that work with vulnerable and poor children.
"Of course I thought of Promiseland first because I know they do good work and what they mean to the community of Tutaleni. My sister and I got food from them and now I give them socks that they can give to vulnerable children."
Last year 60 pairs of Kasi Socks were donated and this year 40 so far.
"We will hand over our next donation in August and then we will hand over another 260 pairs. The difference we make in the community is incredible.
"I know there are many people who are struggling, who have to make a choice between a loaf of bread or socks; I know I would buy the bread. Through the donations, the children can now also receive a pair of warm socks and I mean something to the community. I grew up in a tin shack and poor; I know how it feels I can now make a difference with the business."
Kasi Socks provides custom socks to businesses and organizations. Those interested can order socks on Facebook or at [email protected].
Karen Zoid
Karen Zoid and Henry Steel will be performing at the Godenfang Restaurant in Walvis Bay on Thursday and Friday to raise money for the Promiseland Trust.
Promiseland and Kasi Socks took hands and designed a special sock with the Zoid emblem on it.
"Twenty pairs of the special shoes are auctioned off each evening. On Thursday evening, the room in which Karen stayed at the Flamingo Villas will be auctioned and on Friday evening a weekend for two at the Agama Lodge in the South," said Jenny Esterhuizen from the Promiseland Trust.
Friday night's tickets are sold out and only a few remain for Thursday night's show. Tickets can be purchased on 081 719 8981.
– [email protected]