Time to make a difference
What a priviledge it was to have these children here in Parys and Vredefort.
Selfless hours and five days to make a difference. That is just what sixty learners of St John’s and Community Hours did when they visited Parys and Vredefort in their school holiday again, leaving a legacy behind.
They spent time at the Vredefort Hartshuis, where they painted one of the
small dwellings, which accommodates approximately eight people, giving it a
facelift for its residents. They set up a street shop with pre-owned clothes for the people who live at the Hartshuis, where they could “shop” for what they like.
Afterwards, they treated them to a truly South African lunch of delicious braaied boerewors rolls for approximately 120 Hartshuis people.
The children, themselves, made the bread rolls at an informal bakery in Ennerdale the day before, says Sarah Welton Blake, who accompanied the learners.
While at the Vredefort Hartshuis, another group transformed a storeroom at Chris van Niekerk school into a Grade R classroom – with the support of dedicated teachers.
During their stay, they also hit the streets of Parys to pick up discarded paper, plastic, food containers and other waste.
The children visited the incredible team at the Parys SPCA to roll up their sleeves and help clean the kennels, sort the storerooms, feed and exercise the dogs, and, for some, spend a quiet moment in the shade with a cat
or kitten curled up in a welcoming lap.
While some were busy on the SPCA premises, others made wooden chairs for the Grade Rs at Chris van Niekerk School.
The highlight of the visit was undoubtedly a full day of interaction with learners in the Tumahole community in the form of a “drills and skills morning” at the Fezile Dabi Stadium, followed by a seven-a-side minisoccer tournament.
It was a resounding success, thanks to Mafa, his team and all who contributed to the day at the stadium.
Before heading home, the volunteers raised much-needed funds for Epilepsy SA’s Free State/North West Centre in a fun and exciting way, giving your car a clean shine in exchange for a donation for Epilepsy.
These children once again captured the hearts of the communities of Parys,
Tumahole and Vredefort with what they did with a smile.
