Local schoolgirls to start project to transform Golden Hours school

DETERMINED to make a difference to the community around them, two schoolgirls are hoping to make a lasting impact at Golden Hours Special Needs School in Durban North.

Danville Park Girls’ High School Grade 11 learners, Jessica Bartle and Sahara Thornell, have planned a project to paint the jungle gyms at the school, tidy up the school garden and help maintain the school grounds over the course of five days.

The duo are currently attempting to obtain their Gold certificate through the President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, which is the South African implementation of The Duke of Edinburgh International Award.

The President’s Award sees participants complete various activities over a set period of time in order to achieve either their Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.

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According to the President’s Award website, part of the journey includes ‘voluntary service’ (community service), ‘physical recreation’, ‘skills’, ‘adventurous journey’ and finally ‘residential project’ which is a requirement for the Gold level.

Giving some insight into their project, Sahara said she wanted to make a tangible difference in the lives of the staff and learners at the school.

“We’ve earmarked October for the project and are in the process of finalising our plans,” explained Sahara. “I’ve been volunteering at Golden Hours School for a while now, teaching ball skills to some of the learners who live in the hostel, and that has been a rewarding process. It was there that I realised we could chip in and volunteer our time while improving the upkeep of the grounds and painting the jungle gyms.

“In doing the President’s Award, I’ve found it has been a tool for youth empowerment, and it really pushes you out of your comfort zone with all the things you have to do. It makes you strive for something that’s greater than yourself. On this journey, I’ve made incredible connections and grown as a person. It has been a really rewarding process. A big part of this is not thinking of yourself and putting others first. My mother’s parenting also played a part in this, and that’s why I decided to do the President’s Award,” she said.

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Both Jessica and Sahara met in Grade Eight while on a hike which falls under the Adventurous Journey category while going for their Bronze award.

This year, for their Gold certificate, they had to hike for three nights and four days.

“We did that during the April school holidays. We hiked 80km and did an extended route of the Giants Cup Trail in the Drakensberg. Morgan Hosking, an educator from Northwood School, and three learners from there joined us on the hike. The scenery was just breathtaking, and we are grateful to all of them for hiking the mammoth distance,” she said.

Jessica also encouraged young learners to get involved in the President’s Award.

“I think Sahara touched on it, but doing the President’s Award equips young people for life regardless of their background. The programme brings together practical experiences and life skills, building confidence, encouraging physical health and recreation and motivating young people to engage with their communities. Through the levels, I’ve learned how to play the guitar and learned photography and art,” she said.

If you would like to get involved by donating paint or gardening equipment to their project, email Sahara’s mother, Georgina, at gthornell@telkomsa.net.

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