Ashton sandwich drive brings relief to North Coast flood victims

Answering calls for help across the North Coast region, Ashton International College Ballito pupils and RE/MAX Dolphin Realtors joined forces to make more than 1 500 sandwiches for community members in need last week.

After the true devastation of the KwaZulu-Natal floods began to sink in and many families were left without food, the best way to help took shape.

“We have been engaging with the struggling communities and they identified food as the most pressing problem,” said Sally Mitchell of RE/MAX.

Ashton’s head of prefects, Donny van Zyl, noted the work RE/MAX undertook and thought the school could have its own sizeable impact.

“We decided to go for it on Wednesday, sent out a plea to parents and by Thursday morning the support was incredible,” she said.

In a voluntary effort during breaktime, pupils brought food from their homes to help out the community where possible.

“As a school we have so much to give. It is important to most of us to use our time and resources where we can to help others,” said Yajna Sampath (17).

A remarkably well-organised operation ensued, with pupils making, sealing and packing sandwiches for distribution.

Pupils also kept families of affected staff in mind, preparing sandwiches separately to ensure they were well looked after.

“Many of our pupils and staff have been affected. We realised the situation many found themselves in was truly dire. It was our privilege, not an obligation, to offer help in this way,” said April Drew (17)

Aside from the sandwiches, the school also ran an Easter egg drive to help spread a little bit of holiday cheer despite the devastation.

Mitchell said the sandwiches went to the hardest hit communities between Tongaat and Shakaskraal.

“It was incredible to be able to provide some relief for many people. This was the first meal they had since the worst of the floods,” she said.

Easter Eggs went to Saps, St Luke’s, Summerhill House, Ithemba Labasa and The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund.

The Outreach club also donated several bags of clothing collected in the first term.