Support Adopt a School campaign
The SA Hindu Maha Sabha is looking for sponsorship for a project at a disadvantaged school.
EDITOR – The President and officials of the SA Hindu Maha Sabha have been tirelessly addressing social issues in our community. Children who are subjected to drugs and poverty on a daily basis have been our main concern. We have the support of the Anti-Drug Forum and the Department of Correctional Services. Many awareness programmes have been arranged at the schools. In particular, we have identified Montarena High School as our new project.
The school has 536 students that are severely underprivileged and face various issues that are beyond their control. This has impacted on the children’s performance. Some of the problems that the students are exposed to are drugs, lack of food, unpaid school fees and unstructured homes.
The South African Hindu Maha Sabha has been actively involved in the school, trying to help alleviate the challenges faced by the children. We arranged ongoing visits to the school with the Anti-Drug Forum to create drug awareness. By bringing in parolees from Westville prison to talk to the students, we have really tried to make a positive impact on the students.
However, our efforts are not sufficient to combat the problems experienced. We are now embarking on a journey to adopt the school. This will be done with the assistance of the various Departments of KZN Government, NPOs, and the public sector to turn around the school and most importantly the students’ quality of life.
We are working with the Department of Correctional Services, Department of Social Services, SAPS and Interfaith Religious to carry out a series of events to improve the environment for the students and future students of the school. Some of these events will be workshops at the school where we will teach children the importance of core family and personal values, improvement of school facilities, such as cleaning the bushes around the school where drugs are sold, and supplying lunches and uniforms.
This will be more than just a once off event, as we will be continuously engaging with the school and students on a monthly basis, providing support in whichever way possible.
Our first event has been diarised for 6 April where, with the support of Department of Parks and Gardens, we will assist in cleaning up the bushes around the school. We would like to provide lunch to the school on this day and create a carnival atmosphere.
It would be greatly appreciated if the community can assist in any sponsorship towards this worthy cause.
If you can help, contact sahms@worldonline.co.za or 082 778 5767.
Sabina Besesar
Convenor
SA Hindu Maha Sabha
