Olympic record holder Penny Heyns visited Casa do Sol School for learners with special educational needs to give a motivational talk.
Casa do Sol School is situated in Linden and is a school for children with intellectual disabilities. Penny Heyns paid the school a visit to give one of her motivational talks.
The school’s principal, Jenny Drew, welcomed Heyns into the school hall where children gathered and were eager to meet her and hear what she had in store for them.
Heyns started off by telling the youngsters who she is and why she is there. She told her story about when she started swimming at a tender age and how she had to leave home and go train in the USA and Canada to become a better swimmer.
“I had a negative mindset when I was away from home and that didn’t help me at all. I had to change my attitude and be positive so I could move forward,” said Heyns.
The youngsters were stunned to hear Heyns talk about her journey.
The schoolchildren had some questions to ask Heyns. “How did you win?” asked one. Heyns said, “I worked very hard and made sure that I was achieving goals that I set for myself and not competing with or trying to be like others.”
The value that she was trying to teach the children is that you can do anything in the world if you put your mind to it.
The school choir sent Heyns off with two songs before taking pictures and having autographs signed by her.
ALSO SEE: King David opens state-of-the-art remedial school
