Planting seeds of hope for Madiba
WATERFALL - Reddam Waterfall pupils planted 67 trees as part of their 67 minutes of community service on Mandela Day.
Barbeque Downs Community helped to organise Johannesburg City Park’s donation of 67 trees for the new school grounds.
Chairperson of Barbeque Downs Candice James, ward councillors Annette Deppe and John Mendelsohn, as well as volunteers joined Grade 1 pupils in planting two of the trees.
The pupils sat in a circle around their trees and each read out their hopes for the country on Mandela’s birthday.
They then placed their pieces of paper in a hole, and the trees were planted on top of these hopes, while ward 94 councillor John Mendelsohn helped to pack the holes with soil.
Grade 1 Reddam teacher Taryn Smuts said it was symbolic for the Grade 1 pupils: they were the youngest pupils at the school to plant the trees – just as the trees would grow into something beautiful, so would they.
James and Deppe performed a day’s worth of 67-minute activities at Reddam. They handed out hand-made toys to Midrand Police Station’s Crime Empowerment Centre, distributed donations to Midrand Child Welfare, handed out food and cupcakes on behalf of Sunninghill Spar to Zonkisiwie School in Kaarlfontein, and gave more cupcakes to the children at Lindokuhle EduCare Centre in Ivory Park.
Ahead of Mandela Day, Barbeque Downs hosted their annual Gift 67 Dinner to raise funds for two Diepsloot charities; the community’s giving spirit allowed them to buy items on the wish lists of these charities.
On Mandela Day, James, Deppe and volunteers handed out the items to Kids With Rhythm, a Diepsloot charity that teaches children in shelters how to play drums and dance. Cobra United Soccer Team, which empowers Diepsloot children to play soccer, were also recipients of donations. Both charities were delighted at Barbeque Downs Community’s generosity.
