Four siblings did not return to school for the third term as they had to care for their bedridden mother.
The school brought their plight to the attention of Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth.
On Monday, the family shared tears of joy as they received donations that will improve their lives.
At 13, Nosi* dropped out of school to look after her sick mother and take care for her three siblings.
As a result, the four youngsters - aged 13, 12, nine and three - from Qiphu Village in Ntabankulu, Eastern Cape did not return to school for the third term.
The principal of Qiphu Primary School, Thozama Nojaja, said they were concerned when the children did not return to class.
"I asked the teachers to visit their home to discover the problem. The one-room house was dirty, and the mother slept in an old broken bed.
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"The four kids had to share a thin mattress with only one old blanket. The cupboards … had no food," she added.
Nojaja said she was disturbed by their situation and decided to write to Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth.
The 31-year-old mother of the four children told News24 her health deteriorated in October 2021.
