Bianca Visagie
30 September 2021
2021 has been full of ups and downs for the country. It has never been more important for us to support our communities and neighbours. This year’s Mandela Day provided the perfect opportunity for us to become more involved in our community on a long-term basis.
We celebrated Mandela Day through our very first Virtual Challenge. The challenge kicked off in the first week of July with the goal of raising money for a school in need. For each kilometre our employees ran or walked, we donated R5, and for each kilometre, they cycled we donated R2. As a result, we ran and cycled over 3000km, and we raised over R11 000!
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela
However, we wanted to make more than just a financial contribution. COVID-19 has had a significant and erratic impact on South Africa’s public school system. Many of our schools require continuous support, appropriate sanitation, classroom digitalisation, infrastructure renovations, and food security to continue teaching and learning. In addition to a financial donation, we will also be helping a school with its digitalisation needs.
Meerhof School
Meerhof School provides learners with disabilities with specialised education and training. The school is located on the outskirts of Gauteng, and it often struggles to gain funding to cover its financial needs. Meerhof School works hard to make a difference in the lives of every learner attending, despite their disabilities and limitations. They offer a multitude of sport and cultural activities and one of their students even competed in the Tokyo Olympics.
We paid the school a visit on the 13th of September to meet with the headmaster and to find out how we can provide them with the support needed. Meerhof’s most urgent need is food and clothing support, as well as maintenance of the infrastructure.
Their school facilities include boys and girls hostels, a swimming pool, a pharmacy, dining halls, computer rooms and more. The school also supplies all students with two meals a day, and the pharmacy supplies students with the necessary medications. All of the staff members put a lot of love and care into the students. The headmaster knows every student by name, making Meerhof a truly special place.
We will be making a donation to their food parcel program and we will be working with them to support future fundraising campaigns. We will also be donating laptops and other equipment to the school to assist with their digitisation needs.
This is one small step toward building a better and brighter future for the next generation, and we are looking forward to our partnership with Meerhof.
Want to get involved? Contact us to find out how you can make a difference!