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People of the North - Mandela Day

People of the North - Mandela Day

Author: Isabelle Luker
Date: 2012-07-25
This week People of the North is dedicated to two initiatives that made a difference to poor children in the Waterloo and Mount Moriah areas, on Mandela Day.

Waterloo Primary School was buzzing with activity on Mandela Day. Project Build CEO Suzanne Edmunds coordinated the painting of the school's classrooms by about 150 volunteers from organisations including the Sharks, Rotary, Sibaya Casino, Unilever, Momentum, Gem clothing, SAPPI, Illovo Sugar, Derivco and Sizemiseza Trust, to name but a few. Mr Duncan Dube, Principal, said: "We thank God - He provides, and we give our sincere thanks to Project Build who arranged for the volunteers to come. We also hope that these initiatives will continue, not only at our school." Mr Dube confirmed that 32 classrooms were painted. "We would now like to appeal to other businesses - our roof also needs painting." Volunteers also came from the surrounding community. Mr Dube's eyes were shining with joy at the goodness of people. "You see that container - it was delivered to us last week by M Projects, manufacturers of mobile containers that can also be used for educational purposes. It will make a big difference to our school," he concluded. If any reader would like to assist Waterloo School in painting their roof, please call 032 533 4785 or email waterlooprim@mweb.co.za.

Pastor Andrew Govindsami of Mount Moriah lives in an RDP house. From his humble abode he feeds up to 300 children at a time on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. His church, the Church of Liberty, attracts children from the surrounding areas for nourishment. "Many children here live in dire poverty. Some are orphans, some from child-headed households. I do this for the upliftment of the community. All are God's children," Pastor explained. "We also help the children with schoolwork and engage them with social activities and sports."

Riona Gokool, Democratic Alliance PR Councillor, arranged the delivery of food to the Pastor. Maize meal, rice, beans, samp and some masala for flavour came from an anonymous donor. "We also badly need resources such as visual aids to carry the message of hope. Also, we need fencing," appealed Pastor Govindsami.

If any readers wish to assist Pastor Govindsami with food or donations, please call him at 076 906 3052 or call Riona Gokool at 072 786 2655.