Some don’t have pens and books, this will help
THE Kempston Group helped uplift a number of disadvantaged pupils last week when stationery to the value of R700 000 was handed over to schools and NPOs in need.
Community members nominated disadvantaged schools and NPOs which would benefit from a pallet of stationery valued at R25 000 each. Kempston purchased the stationery at an auction after the closure of Just On Cosmetics.
Nineteen junior and 16 high schools from as close as East London and as far as Peddie, Transkei, Komga and Queenstown benefitted.
Smiling Valley Farm School principal Mongezi Mncono said: “I am excited about this donation because it means a lot for kids in disadvantaged areas.
“We are a farm school in need and these donations help supplement what we are given from the department. Kempston is eager to help disadvantaged communities to improve the quality and standard of teaching and learning.”
Deputy principal of Greenpoint Senior Secondary School Rajen Packery said the donations they received would be given to pupils who really need it. “We will assess the situation and give to the Grade 8s in need. We are grateful for whatever donations we receive. Some kids don’t have pens and books and the donation will go a long way to help meaningful learning take place,” said Packery.
Mary Sanfilippo, of the Uniform Project, was also very grateful for the donation.
The Uniform Project is an initiative of the Friends of Chintsa NPO, which seeks to help needy children afford school uniforms.
“A school uniform costs about a quarter of the average farm worker’s monthly salary, making it very difficult to purchase it,” said Sanfilippo. The Uniform Project gives dignity to children by having them compete for who deserves the uniform and be rewarded for their hard work instead of just receiving a hand-out. The stationery donation means that needy pupils who don’t win a school uniform can get the stationery as a consolation prize.
“We are so happy to be included in this project. Four farm schools will benefit from the stationery,” Sanfilippo said.
CEO of Kempston Group Tony Cotterell said: “The youth are our future and if they cannot dream big due to the lack of means, then what future do we have?
“If we are able to give a child who dreams of being an artist a set of pastels, then we have achieved one dream. Imagine if everyone could help rescue the dreams of our youth.”
