WALKING the Talk Foundation’s (WTTF) flagship “Project Hope” has been stopped in its tracks following the recent death of West Park Special School principal Pradeep Sindhrajh.

The Amanzimtoti-based NPO’s 5km charity walk in March raised enough funds to enable it to build three classrooms at the school.

Also read: Young leaders empowered on nature walk

WTTF founder and chairperson Dale van Blerk said, “Pradeep’s death has not only deeply saddened us but has also paused progress of the project. The school must now go through the process of appointing a new principal and we were informed that Project Hope cannot proceed until the newly-appointed principal has reviewed and approved it. Out of respect for the school’s leadership transition, we have decided to place the project on hold.

The NPO has since shifted its focus to repairing the roofs at some of the 147 schools that were affected by recent strong winds.

Most recently, on Mandela Day, July 18, WTTF joined hands with ONOMO Hotel Durban for a 67-minute school clean-up at Mariannridge Primary School in Pinetown. The NPO also handed over four newly-roofed classrooms, which was made possible through the support of Macsteel.

WTTF’s upcoming initiatives include:

• Annual sock drive in August.
• Annual underwear drive for learners in underprivileged schools in September.
• Its first joint golf day to raise funds for a language laboratory in Galway Primary School in Boksburg in September.
• WTTF will build a 100sqm hall or two classrooms at Mason Lincoln Special School.

Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.