Students committed to community upliftment

A group of students took on the challenge to revamp and improve an early childhood education centre recently.
The group worked tirelessly to ensure the area is a safe and fun play ground for the little ones.

“At the University of Pretoria, there is a module called joint community project where students are involved in doing community projects. While studying we are challenged to do 40 hours of community service, with the purpose of improving everyday skills and life. In groups, we get a small budget and we are challenged to get sponsors,” said Reuben Gouws, who is studying towards a bachelor of science in property development.

He along with Vian du Plooy, Olisha Chetty, Ammarah Amad and Njabulo Radebe took on the project.

“Usually, the university offers projects to the students, but I felt it was more fitting to work with other KZN students and do something in our community. I spoke to my coordinator and after a bit of looking around, I found Kingsburgh Child and Family Welfare, that put us in touch with its partner, Othandweni Educare Centre that desperately needed assistance.  We spent 57 hours of community service, with the assistance of our main sponsor, Pieter du Plooy, we were able to hire a bulldozer to flatten the play area out and made it level.  Old swings and other equipment were removed, fixed the broken fence and doors and closed trap doors. Rather than just fixing what was already in the area, we wanted to add more.”

The group included a rondavel playhouse and started fixing up the play set. They added netting to the playground, swings, tyres to climb through, platforms on the jungle gym, fixed the slide, added a sandpit and did whatever they could to make the place better.

“For eight years, the children were unable to play and now it’s completely transformed. When the project was completed, the little ones were finally able to play for the first time. They were also treated to 12 Debonairs Pizzas that were donated and Olisha and Ammarah donated ice lollies and chocolates. Vian’s parents provided guidance. People who want to make a difference should contact Kingsburgh Welfare, the organisation is incredible and does so much for the community.”

The principal of the school also has 10 mattresses that needs to be wrapped in material so the children have a place to nap. There are 80 children and only 20 mattresses, excluding those that aren’t wrapped.

“One of our objectives for this year was to help them lobby support for a safer environment where children could learn and play. Over the years we have worked on soft skills development from first aid training to ECD capacity building but we wanted a model in the rural area,” said chairperson of the Kingsburgh Child and Family Welfare, Iris Canham.

“We wanted to show how it is possible to lobby community support for infrastructure to help restore the safety and security of ECDs. It was a huge blessing to come into contact with this group of enthusiastic students. The extraordinary hard work, execution of the project and all the extras will bring joy and an improved learning environment to the 80 children. A special thank you to the Du Plooy family for the donations, for their time and resources and being there throughout the project to support the students.”

To find out more about the work done at the welfare, call 031 916 2274.

ALSO READ: Kingsburgh Child and Family Welfare strengthens family bonds

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