Montclair senior primary extends helping hand in new initiative
The school visited wendy houses at the Wentworth Archs and St Monica's Children's Home.
A TEAM from Montclair Senior Primary School embarked on a new outreach programme of goodwill. The group, which included staff and SGB members, as well as learners, visited the neighbouring communities of Wentworth and the Bluff.
To fulfil its social responsibility mandate, the school encouraged learners to donate toiletry items that were delivered on the day.
The two beneficiaries were women who live in wendy houses at the Wentworth Archs and St Monica’s Children’s Home, on Marine Drive, Bluff.
In her vote of thanks, arch resident, Nita Fynn, explained how they ended up living in the structures.
“We come from overcrowded homes. The lack of space was caused by generation after generation staying under the same roof. We then moved into the archs and it has been more than 10 years living there. Most of the women who stay there are single parents and are either unemployed or don’t have permanent jobs. Some of us live on social grants,” she said.
Wentworth SAPS’ trauma unit volunteer, Wendy Augustine, took the group on a tour to see where and how they work with victims.
St Monica’s Children’s Home director, Althea Govender, said the donation will go a long way at the home.
“Thank you very much for thinking about us and the donations. We look forward to having an ongoing relationship with you. We have children of all faith and religious groups, we don’t discriminate” she said.
The school’s acting principal, Sandy Naicker, said they plan on taking more children within their next initiative. She said this would make learners empathetic to the less fortunate and aware of such organisations.
“I don’t think the school fully understood this journey when we decided on this initiative. It was meant to make staff and learners aware that in their own way, they can respond to what they saw. If that happens, then I think we would have done a great job.”
“These are the values we’re trying to instil with our learners. I know that after this experience, no one will be the same again. “To Althea, Vijee and team, you are all magnificent human beings, you work with so much passion that you don’t even think about a thank you. The work you do is not unnoticed,” she said.
If you would like to lend a helping hand to St Monica’s Children’s Home, call 031 468 8656, email admin@stmonicas.org.za or visit their website on www.stmonicas.org.za.
