The newly formed Sir Pierre Alumni NGO has been established as a result of ex-learners seeing the school in a run-down state and in desperate need of repair.
The Alumni plan to embark on various fund-raising initiatives to restore or repair the infrastructure and bring Sir Pierre van Ryneveld High School into the 21st century.
Miguel Gomes, the founder of the NGO and ex-learner of Sir Pierre, said: “This school has a great and proud history that we want to preserve and build on by making a positive contribution to our community and improve on the environment to ensure a strong education for the learners now and generations to come. At this stage, it needs considerable investment to revamp and repair the facilities.”
The funds raised by these initiatives, on behalf of the high school, will be allocated to specific projects outlined by the school. Key areas of focus include adequate ablution facilities, roof repairs, painting, structural damages, new desks and chairs to name but a few.
To date, the Alumni has donated buckets, brooms and cleaning equipment to ensure each classroom is fully equipped for cleaning on a regular basis. Textbooks have been donated, as well as boxes of books for the library.
The Alumni are joining forces with the learners, teachers and parents for the first fund-raising event on June 23 and 24. The Sir Pierre Alumni will host a soccer tournament at the school grounds. Eight local schools have been invited to partake in the tournament.
Furthermore, there will be entertainment and various other activities which will be announced closer to the event.
For the tournament to be successful, they need the support and collaboration of the local community.
“We are calling on the Kempton Park and surrounding communities, parents, present and past learners to come together and help us raise the money through this exciting event,” Gomes said.
As this is their first fund-raising initiative, there are many logistical and monetary challenges and they reach out to individuals and companies who can help with sponsorship of the following: Porta-loos, mobile kitchens or food trucks, contacts for corporate sponsors, security on the day, medics on the day, volunteers on the day and sponsored prizes for raffles.
All business sponsors will have the opportunity to have their branding up on the tournament days and will be appropriately credited where possible in all marketing efforts.
For more information or to get involved, contact sirpierrealumni@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page @SirPierreAlumni
