Inspired by CEO SleepOut, King David Victory Park, will host its own sleep-out, with the aim of encouraging its pupils to engage and empathise with the realities of homelessness in the greater community.
On 28 July, Grade 7 pupils, together with some high school pupils and selected teachers, will experience a cold Johannesburg winter’s night by sleeping outside at the school, braving the elements, explained campus marketing manager of King David Victory Park, Nirvana Rogers.
She added the primary school has chosen Thato Ke Matla Foster & Safety House as its beneficiary, this year. “The orphanage – situated in Orange Farm – is home to approximately 40 abandoned children ranging in ages from seven months to 16 years,” said Rogers.
Disebo Lipholo, who runs the home, rated blankets and single-bunk-bed foam mattresses as a priority need. All pupils at the school, regardless of whether they are participating, will be encouraged to support those sleeping outdoors, by donating warm blankets.
The school will have fifty pupils and a few staff members partaking in the sleep-out. They will pack 5 000 meals with Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa from 6pm to 8pm. The meals will be packed on behalf of the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), which is providing the funding and they have identified Johannesburg families in need, to which meals will be distributed.
Pupils will collect tinned foods and clothing, which will be donated to Pholosho School in Alexandra as well as to Kids Haven. The food and clothes will be distributed to the less fortunate within two weeks after the sleepout.
Some of the evening’s events include a talk by Helen Fraser (Nashua Children’s Charity Foundation) and a homeless person (soon to be selected), to give pupils a first-hand insight into the plight of homeless people.
The school has also organized a group activity to make blankets out of newspaper and plastic and will hold discussions around, if-you-were-homeless-where-would-you-choose-to-sleep-and-why, to get pupils thinking about the less fortunate members of society.
“Our campus is proud to have the opportunity to do more than support outreach verbally. This initiative creates much-needed awareness to find solutions to real-world problems. King David Victory Park aims to produce pupils who are equipped with a strong determination to contribute to their society.
Details: King David Victory Park High School, 011 446 7860
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