Young Scout transforms room into a library for New Life Centre for Girls
A community service project gave a young 17-year-old Scout new skills and gave the young girls from the centre something to look forward to: a library.
What began as a 40-hour community service project has become a lasting gift for the New Life Centre for Girls after 17-year-old Scout David Robson transformed an unused room into a library for the home.
A member of the 1st Halfway House Scout Troop, David undertook the project as part of his community service requirements, which encourage Scouts to develop leadership skills while making a meaningful contribution to their communities.
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Steven Howard and Doug Rix from the troop expressed how proud they were of David’s project.
“This is a really worthwhile project for the community; this is a long-standing project, one that will last at least as long as the centre, so I’m proud,” said Howard.
“I think the beauty of this is that David is almost 18 and he has to finish his Springbok top award, and he is right on track with it,” added Rix.
Before beginning the project, David met with New Life Centre for Girls director Khopotso Nakin, known as ‘Mama K’, to find out where help was needed most.
He was shown two possible projects but was immediately drawn to the idea of converting an empty room into a library where the girls could read, study and develop a lifelong love of books.
The project involved transforming the once-empty space into a welcoming reading area that will support the girls’ education and provide them with a safe environment to learn and grow for years to come.
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Reflecting on the experience, David said bringing the project to life had been incredibly rewarding.
“I’m very happy that it’s all done now; it looks amazing, and it’s great. I wouldn’t have done it without my fellow Scout members, and I am grateful for their help in making this project come to life.”
Nakin said the library fulfilled a long-held dream for the centre and would have a lasting impact on the girls.
“I believe that children need a library to study, to empower themselves so that they can become good leaders. So, I really want to thank David for starting something that has always been a dream for me.”
The project reflects the values of the 1st Halfway House Scout Troop, which encourages young people to serve their communities through initiatives that leave a positive and lasting legacy.
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