[PHOTOS] Thousands of lives changed with a coat of paint
Hundreds of volunteers recently joined the SAME organisation to help brighten the learners' day with a new coat of paint.
Hundreds of hardworking people pulled together to change the lives of more than 1 000 learners recently.
As part of a Mandela Day event, the South African Medical and Education (SAME) Foundation and other like-minded organisations visited the Blair Atholl Primary Farm School and gave the buildings a new coat of paint.
The SAME foundation is a non-profit organisation that undertakes high impact community developments and their sole aim is to improve healthcare and educational facilities in poverty-stricken areas.
The day started with Judy Air, the school’s principal, explaining how the school was built for a small community and only 300 pupils. But when the school was handed over to the Gauteng Department of Education in 2006, it quickly grew to well over 1 000.
The school is a no-fees school, and with that comes a few troubles; for instance, they have no shade for the children to play under, and recently their borehole pump packed up.
Even when the pump is working, the borehole cannot cope with the number of children at the school.
“Just by giving your time you are already making a difference,” Judy told the dressed and prepped crowd of painters.
But the fun day was not only filled with hard work from the adults – while they were hard at work revamping the school’s image, the children enjoyed a fun day. There was face painting, jumping castles, sporting events, and trophies and awards to be won. The children also received lunch packs, toys, notebooks and sports equipment.
