Australian High Commissioner hand libraries over to local schools
Sacred Heart College has access to over 18 000 books while their counterparts at the Three2Six are not so fortunate.
Two refugee education projects and two government-funded schools received mobile libraries thanks to a generous donation from the Australian High Commission to the Three2Six Children’s Refugee Education Projects on 5 May.
The Australian grant gave them the opportunity to share with others in the community and ultimately enabled them to widen their reach to educate more children.
Three2Six is based at Sacred Heart College and has a book container which was donated by Standard Bank.
Other government-funded schools that benefited from this generosity are Yeoville Boys Primary and Yeoville Community schools.
The libraries were officially handed over by the Australian High Commissioner, Adam McCarthy, who encouraged the children to read for pleasure and to use reading as a form of escapism.
“The Australian High Commission is privileged to be a part of the Three2Six project as it is an investment in the future,” said McCarthy.
In 2008, Sacred Heart College which is an independent Marist Catholic School in Observatory, intervened in the plight of refugee children in the neighbouring districts.
These children, often having fled from war-torn or poverty-stricken countries, find a safe place in the Three2Six project where they are accepted, loved and educated.
The Three2Six Children’s Refugee Education Projects exist due to the generosity of international and local donors said Colin Northmore, Head of College at Sacred Heart College.
“We are indeed indebted to Australian Aid for this generous donation, which has assisted us to continue building a bridge from misery to hope for our refugee children.
“While learners at Sacred Heart College have access to over 18 000 books, their counterparts at the Three2Six Refugee Education Projects and state-funded schools, are not so fortunate,” said Northmore.
Through their fundraising appeals, Northmore said they had hoped to access funds to build libraries for the projects at Holy Family College and Observatory Girls.
“Presently, Sacred Heart College is in the process of catalysing a community improvement project and would be interested in engaging with community organisations in this regard,” said the headmaster.
Details: 011 081 2200 or email marketing@sacredheart.co.za
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