King David sleeps out
VICTORY PARK – King David Victory Park School pupils spend a night out in the cold as they host their sleepout.
King David Victory Park hosted their own school sleepout to encourage pupils to engage and empathise with the realities of homelessness.
Last week, Grade 7 pupils, together with some high school pupils and selected teachers, experienced a cold winter’s night by sleeping at the school and braving the elements.
Principal of the primary school, Rabbi Ricky Seeff said that the intention for the sleepout was to show the pupils that though they might lead privileged lives, they represent a small minority. “In a country where millions of people suffer daily we need to instil an awareness of the plight of the many who are disadvantaged and ensure our pupils feel a sense of responsibility to the country and its citizens,” he said.
The primary school chose Thato Ke Matla Foster & Safety House[https://www.thatokematla.co.za/] as its beneficiary this year.
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 participated, were encouraged to support those who sleep outdoors by donating warm blankets.
Approximately 50 pupils and a few staff members participated in the sleepout. Pupils packed more than 2 000 meals with Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa from 6pm to 8pm.
Pupils collected 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 the next two weeks.
Some of the evening’s events included a talk by Helen Fraser (Nashua Children’s Charity Foundation) and Lizzie Buda and Pauline Dube who are two homeless women who shared their story with the pupils.
The school also organised a group activity to make blankets out of newspaper and plastic and held 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.
Details: King David Victory Park High School, 011 446 7860
Related Stories: Record-breaking sandwich making
