East school learns life’s lessons through service

More than 500 learners from the St Paulus Primary School played a part in changing the lives of animals at the Tshwane SPCA in Watloo on Thursday.

St Paulus interact club’s 550 members visited the SPCA to hand over a fibreglass dog they had been “feeding” with their spare change.

The aim was to raise funds for the SPCA and increase awareness of the excellent work done.

The children donated R3 042.98 and some dog treats to assist the SPCA which was in dire need of resources.

“At St Paulus school we basically have an outreach club and we go where there is need,” said organiser Marize van Staden.

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“Our children pleaded with the school to look specifically at animals this year, and provide some welfare for them.

“Obviously, there are a few organisations that look after animals that have been abused or neglected and the Tshwane SPCA is right next to us, so we thought ‘why not’.”

Van Staden said they established from the SPCA what was needed with the help of a learner who was very active in assisting the SPCA on occasions.

Rebbecca Queiros (13), a learner and club member, started the initiative by asking if the school could bring a dog (money box) to school and place it in the tuck shop for learners to place their extra coins in.

She said the school thought it was a good idea and placed Stella (the money box) in the tuck shop.

Van Staden said while children were donating, learners also made toys for the dogs as the school was very big on recycling.

She said the school also normally collected dog food for the SPCA and cleaned up the dog kennels.

“This initiative was also done to instil responsibility in the children.

“Children need to be aware of what happens in the world and a few of our children are ignorant to what happens at places such as the SPCA,” said Van Staden.

She said the school also went to areas such as Mamelodi, old age homes and other underprivileged areas to show the children the reality of how people lived and reminding them that they were privileged.

She said the children were taught to give to various communities in the city.

“Our children’s eyes open when they are a part of such initiatives.”

READ MORE: SPCA reunites dog with owner after one year

Van Staden said since running this initiative, she realised that the children were happy to be involved and busy.

Queiros said she got the school involved in this initiative to bring more hands to the project.

“I could not do this alone, however working together as a school, we could make a large difference.”

She said she had been involved with the SPCA while seeking her cat when it went missing last year.

“I visited the SPCA and saw the animals and realised that they needed some care and assistance.

“I knew I wanted to help.”

General manager Dewald Wahlstrand said this donation would assist in the SPCA’s operational cost of almost R500 000 a month.

Wahlstrand said it was great to see the youth assisting the SPCA.

“It is totally amazing that the youth of today can be so involved with projects that can change the world.”

He encouraged schools east of Pretoria to also start similar initiatives.

“The SPCA all over the country need help,” he said.

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