MOSSEL BAY NEWS - At 14, Henry Lungu from KwaNonqaba already knows what he is going to be when he grows up; in fact, it is something he has known since he was just eight.
With his immense love of all animals, and as a volunteer at the Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay branch for six years now, he says he is (of course!) going to be an inspector for the SPCA.
Henry, who lives with his mother, Charity, three siblings, two dogs, Simba and Tyson, and cat, Lucy, in January Street, KwaNonqaba, said his volunteer work first began after a walk with his mother.
"I was eight. My mum and I were walking past the SPCA and she asked me what the place was. I told her it was the SPCA, and she said I should volunteer there," said Henry.
And he did just that, volunteering every Saturday for the last six years, come rain or shine.
"No matter the season, he is here on Saturdays," said Mossel Bay's branch manager, Ilse Pieters.
Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay branch manager Ilse Pieters and a volunteer of six years, Henry Lungu. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse
"He helps clean the dogs' kennels and helps in the cattery. He sometimes brings a few friends with him to help. He'll bring people to us if their animals are sick or need a flea dip, which he helps with. He goes back home and educates people within his community on how to take care of pets. He will also report any cases of animal cruelty to us," she said.
It is because of all his hard work and dedication that Pieters presented Henry with an SPCA-branded shirt on Saturday 8 August, which he put on right away and wore with pride for the rest of the day.
"I did not know I was going to get this shirt. I am very proud to wear it," said Henry. "I really love all animals. I also help the pig farmers in KwaNonqaba. I just want to help any animal where I can."
When asked what his hobbies were and what he loves doing most, his response was: "To help animals. I plan to work for the SPCA as an inspector when I finish school," he said.
He said his love of animals comes from his family, and that he doesn't have a favourite one, because he loves them all.
Charity said she is very proud of her son and the volunteer work he does.
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