Four Grade 10 learners from Hoërskool Dinamika brought smiles to dozens of underprivileged children during a special Mandela Day outreach at 3C Ministries in Alberton North on July 11.

Milah du Preeze, Andia Croukamp, Olivia Ribeiro and Dewald Mans partnered with the Life on the Streets (LOTS) Hope Centre to organise a fun-filled day packed with games, entertainment and gifts.

Milah said the project formed part of a Life Orientation assignment encouraging learners to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela through community service.

“We had to do something meaningful for Mandela Day. Some learners chose to volunteer at hospitals, but we wanted to create a fun day for children. Andia had already met Laetitia de Kock from LOTS, so we decided to work with them. We also got our families involved and collected toys for the children,” she said.

The children enjoyed a day of excitement with candy floss, popcorn, bouncy castles, balloon games, tin-toss, and a variety of other activities before exchanging their game winnings for toys.

LOTS volunteer Laetitia de Kock said the aim was to give the children an unforgettable experience filled with joy and laughter.

“Milah has been involved in the entertainment industry from a young age and was able to approach companies to sponsor equipment and activities. Their generosity made it possible to provide bouncy castles, games and entertainment for the children.

“Andia, who is actively involved in her church, contacted LOTS to help identify children who would benefit most from the outreach. Dewald and Olivia focused on collecting toys and securing sponsorships so that every child could leave with a prize.

“The sponsors asked the learners to take full responsibility for the equipment. They helped set up the games and bouncy castles, supervised the activities throughout the day to ensure the children’s safety, and cleaned and packed away everything afterwards.”

De Kock said the project showed that making a difference is not always about financial contributions.

“The learners discovered that teamwork, careful planning, hard work and a heart to serve can make a lasting impact. They invested their time, energy and love into their community, which is exactly what Nelson Mandela Day is about.”

The outreach not only created lasting memories for the children but also taught the four learners that meaningful change begins with a simple decision to help others.