Pupils taught the value of giving
"Small children are willing givers and we believe that we must cultivate the culture of giving in them while they are still young."
WHITE RIVER – Penryn College believes in a society that appreciates its elderly and on Friday the school donated 160 buckets full of goodies to Guardian Angels.
This organisation takes care of the elderly and the sick year-round. It also visits them in their respective homes to give them the necessary care, host functions and transport them to their doctor’s appointments.
However, that would not be possible if the organisation didn’t receive adequate support for its role in the society and if the community didn’t support the cause.
Penryn joined the cause and participated in the Guardian Angel’s bucket challenge.
This has been running for about two weeks in Mbombela. It was initiated by the organisation’s head office to get help from local schools to fill 200 buckets with food and gifts for the elderly in the rural areas.
Other schools that participated in this life-changing challenge were St Peter’s Preschool, Acacia Preschool and Little Souls Montessori School. According to the deputy head, Ms Sally Wakefield, they believe in giving and helping the community at large.
At Penryn, each and every learner in the school’s preparatory grades collected groceries. These included dry food items like rice and tinned food. “Small children are willing givers and we believe that we must cultivate the culture of giving in them while they are still young,” Wakefield said.
She said, although most of the learners in the lower grades did not fully understand the importance and value of giving, they gave what they had.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the parents. We are grateful to them,” added Wakefield.
The school also held an internal competition which added to the excitement of this collection. The grade that participated the most would be the winner. Teachers also made donations.
The organisation’s national coordinator and founder, Marcel van Doorn, was very thankful to everyone who took part in this challenge. “We are overwhelmed by the great response we have received. The kids were so excited and enthusiastic about the challenge,” said Van Doorn.
Other organisations and individuals who sponsored the drive were Claudette Cuichini, Sue Bower from TUT, Winkler Hotel, Spectacular Concrete Works and members of the White River community.
