Old Mutual reaches out to rural crèche

Rethabile Crèche and Pre-school in Greenside outside Polokwane was the latest beneficiary of Old Mutual’s outreach initiative to make a difference in the community when a cash donation of R15 000 was presented to the facility last Thursday.
Old Mutual Polokwane Branch Manager, Herence Phaaka said every Old Mutual employee is allocated a certain amount annually to be used for community projects. “With the help of social worker Tlou Maraba the Rethabile Crèche and Pre-school was identified. The pre-school will benefit for the next three years from Old Mutual and no less than R40 000 will be used to extend the current classrooms,” Phaaka said.
Principal Phuti Bopape said between 60 and 70 children are accommodated per classroom and that more classrooms will result in fewer children per class and more intense attention to the educational needs of every individual. The school relies on school fees for an income but it is only enough to cover salaries and maintenance projects at the school, Bopape said, thanking Old Mutual for their contribution.
Maraba indicated that the school lies close to her heart. “The dedication and passion of the teachers are just incredible. Bopape started the school in her garage at home in 2001 and it is amazing to see what she has achieved to date accommodating 144 children,” Maraba said.
She added that the fence also needed to be upgraded to ensure the children’s safety and that the establishment of a new office block with sick bay facilities needed to be prioritised.

Story and photo: RC Myburgh
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