ZAK the Zoo Buddy and the Rietvlei Easter Bunny brought smiles to the faces of the children at Lerato Educational Centre when they visited the centre last week.
The children squealed in delight as they watched them dance and were thrilled to receive Easter eggs sponsored by Group 1 Nissan & Renault The Glen, handed out by representatives of Rietvlei Zoo Farm.
Tandi Potgieter, Tammy Taylor, Mrs South Africa Semi-Finalist 2018, and founder of Empowering you SA was there to hand out the Easter eggs and meet the children.
“I am so impressed with how Sister Helen runs the Lerato Educational Centre,” Tandi said,
“This is a perfect example of a loving, clean and disciplined environment where the children are flourishing. We would like to help Sister Helen and the Lerato Educational Centre with the various projects on their wish list. Please join me in helping them by donating some of the items on the wish list or by sponsoring a child for R200 per month.”
Sister Helen explained, “Our immediate project is to build a block of eight toilets to comply with regulations. For this we would need the following supplies: 8 000 bricks, eight toilets, hand basins, tiles, steel door frames and paint. Marwari Cement has kindly donated 50 bags of cement for the project. Any assistance with supplies or a builder would be greatly appreciated.”
Other items on the wish list include rice, maize meal, cooking oil, soya mince, tinned food (fish, beans, etc) and school stationery (exercise books, pencils, plastic folders for library books).
The Lerato Educational Centre now caters for 500 children from Jacksons Drift ranging from crèche to junior primary. They provide opportunities to learn, play and the children receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch daily. At a newly developed playground the children can use the equipment, play soccer and netball. Art and cultural programmes include drama, music and dance which depend on volunteers offering their skills.
They have recently opened a new library which is well equipped with beautiful books and educational games. It is used during school hours to help weaker children with basic reading and literacy skills.
A well-equipped computer room is available to teach basic computer skills to the school children. In the afternoons courses are run for young unemployed adults. After completion of a three-month course they can move into more advanced computer literacy and administration skills.
Children of any age, especially those in high school, are invited to use their facilities to do homework and school projects as there is no electricity in the informal settlement and of course lack of space in the shacks. Volunteers assist and supervise the homework sessions.
If you can assist with any items from the wish list or would like to sponsor a child for R200 per month, please contact Sister Helen Hartnett on 072 339 4341 or helenhartnett713@gmail.com
Also Read:
Lerato Educational Centre branches out
Lerato Educational Centre holds its graduation day
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