No job is too big or small for Ballito’s Gail Stefano

Where she sees a need, she will do everything in her power to address it, mobilising others to take action at the same time.

Gail Stefano is a well-known member of the Ballito community. She knows everyone and talks to everyone. She has also discovered that the Dolphin Coast Neighbours Facebook group is a treasure trove of generous locals.

“People in Ballito are very giving. You just have to ask and they give,” she said.

And what does she ask for?

Well, she fixed up the Salt Rock Library kitchen earlier this year, which needed new cupboards, counters, and a sink and taps.

“I went to the librarian and said we are going to get a new kitchen. She said ‘how?’ and I said ‘watch!'”

The library needed a lick of paint, and Stefano managed to get a whole 20L drum donated from Paintec.

While she has been asked to be a mentor for Partners for Possibilities, a programme which pairs school principals and business leaders, Stefano prefers to work on the ground. She has a particular soft spot for grade Rs.

“I feel we have got to help at the beginning,” she said. “I feel that if we help the children, they will see that people are helping them and they might go on to touch other people’s lives.”

ALSO READ: For the love of the Salt Rock Library

This year, she has been working with Shakaskraal School, a non-fee paying school.

“Those Grade Rs had nothing, they were sitting on cement. We got carpet samples and got one square for each child to sit on.”

As she acquires funds throughout the year, she is able to supply the Shakaskraal Grade Rs with whatever they need, including tables, chairs, and craft supplies.

People from the Facebook group have also been donating things to the school.

“When they are clearing out their kids’ bedrooms they give toys and books – you name it. But that’s Ballito for you.”

She is currently facilitating the building of a new kitchen at the school. The school feeds 1388 kids each day with food donated from the government. The cupboards have been donated, but there is plenty more that needs to be done.

“The roof needs fixing, the walls and floor too. I am trying to get cement donated and bricks. Whatever we get donated will help us to do more.”

Stefano is also a committee member of the Wednesday Club, a charity organisation that raises funds for various entities.

On top of everything else, Stefano also runs a matric dance dress project, where she lends out dresses to matrics who cannot afford to buy one. If someone is able to, they may make a donation, and Stefano puts every cent back into Shakaskraal School.

The busy lady is a doting grandmother to seven grand kids, ranging from ages two to twenty. In her spare time, she likes reading, knitting, sewing and scrap booking.

“I keep busy – you have to. You cannot sit and twiddle your thumbs, or you will go mad.”

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