UK pupils visit Sparrow Schools
MELVILLE - Sparrow Foundation School played host to a volunteers from Tudor Hall School in the United Kingdom.
A donation of time is more precious than that of money.
United Kingdom-based Tudor Hall School’s deputy head Rani Tandon expressed this view during her and her pupil’s visit at various Sparrow Schools, where they volunteered their time.
“We have a scheme where we send girls to three different continents to do work in three projects we are involved in, and I’ve coordinated the South African one with Sparrow for the last three years,” Tandon said.
Tandon explained that the scheme aims to teach the pupils the essence of giving time while also broadening their minds to what the world is actually like.
Among the projects they undertook during their visit, the pupils painted the course for hopscotch for some entertainment at break time.
Tudor Hall pupils Georgie Wedderburn (17) and Sonia Wang (16) thoroughly enjoyed the experience at Sparrow Foundation School and loved the hospitality they received from their host families.
“I’ve enjoyed it a lot because they are really sweet children and very enthusiastic,” Wedderburn said.
Wedderburn’s first encounter with Sparrow Schools was when the school’s Further Education and Training choir visited Tudor hall and mesmerised her with their incredible voices.
Wang is a first-time volunteer and foresees herself volunteering again.
“I applied to come here because I have never been to South Africa and I have never volunteered before. It’s a great experience and the children are really keen to learn, I love it,” Wang shared.
Sparrow Foundation School’s principal Rita Pretorius appreciates the work and assistance that Tudor Hall offers them.
“I’m very excited, it’s really worthwhile for us. A week goes by too quickly and I wish they’d stay longer because it’s really beneficial to them and to us as well as for us,” Pretorius said.
Details: www.sparrowschools.co.za, www.tudorhallschool.com
