IN the spirit of inculcating a culture of giving back to society, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) refurbished a prefab building with five classrooms and asbestos roofing at Open Air School.
The roof, which was badly damaged, posed a serious health risk to the learners and was replaced with Chromadek tiles. On Saturday the gutters, downpipes and fire hose reel were replaced while SARB staff also painted and cleaned the building.
Principal of the school, Noel Moodley, said one of his biggest dreams was to have the block in the school which houses the Commerce, Science and the English department refurbished.
“When the kids come through those gates, the first thing they are going to notice is the new building, that was not here when the schools closed at the end of last term,” he said.
“Because the school is old, the asbestos roof took a serious knock as it was already cracked and leaking and was causing damage to the ceiling every time it rained. We are grateful that out of all the schools in this area, ours was chosen to be a recipient of this donation from the reserve bank. We look forward to an ongoing partnership with them, as we will both be celebrating 100 years in 2021 and hope to have a double celebration,” said Moodley.
Echoing Moodley’s statement, Kevin Urbach who is the deputy Principal at the school, said the donation would bring smiles to the faces of learners.
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“So often children with special needs and physical disabilities are forgotten about, but here you have SARB an organisation so big and responsible to so many people, making a difference in the lives of people who are often forgotten. We are very grateful to the reserve bank and its staff,” he said.
Taking time off his busy schedule was Chief Operating Officer of SARB Mogam Pillay, who took part in the painting and cleaning of the school.
“This is part of the SARB’s corporate social investment function.The SARB runs an employee volunteerism programme to give back to the community and this year’s theme is ‘Be part of the legacy’ in line with the Nelson Mandela centenary celebrations, as the former President would have turned 100 this year. We have chosen Open Air School, as a beneficiary for our employee volunteerism programme this year. I would like thank our staff for volunteering and taking part in the Nelson Mandela legacy, inculcating a culture of giving back to society and living SARB values,” he said.
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