Young learners’ selfless hours to make a difference
Thank you, Parys, for allowing us to return to your homes and your hearts, you have certainly captured ours!," Sarah said in her message to the community.
For the first time, the Community Hours and St Johns volunteers will also spend some time in Vredefort, when the group of 60 motivated and determined volunteers will join the fourth volunteering camp to Parys between 15 and 19 April.
With Zuanne-Marie from the Vredefort Hartshuis, the volunteers will paint one of the small dwellings, which accommodates approximately eight people, giving this home a facelift for its residents. Additionally, they will set up a second-hand clothing “store” for the group of people who live at Hartshuis, and will make a truly South African lunch of delicious braaied boerewors rolls for approximately 120 people at the Hartshuis.
One of the most wonderful elements of the day will be that the learners would have made the bread rolls at an informal bakery in Ennerdale the day before, says Sarah Welton Blake, who will accompany the learners.
“The learners complete the circle of learning by learning how to make bread rolls, how to best store them to use the following day, and the pride of serving something they have made themselves, Sarah said.
“It is always a pleasure to collaborate with the communities in and around Parys as we feel as though we have built deep and meaningful relationships with the communities and organisations with which we will volunteer again this year.
The learners who will give their time selflessly to a community far from home, range in age from 15 to 18.
While at the Vredefort Hartshuis, another group will be across the road from Hartshuis transforming a storeroom into a Grade R classroom – with the support of the dedicated teachers.
During their stay, they will also hit the streets of Parys to pick up discarded paper, plastic, food containers and other waste.
Once again, they will visit the incredible team at the Parys SPCA to roll up their sleeves and help clean the kennels, sort the storerooms, feed and exercise the dogs, and for some, spend a quiet moment in the shade with a cat or kitten curled up in a welcoming lap.
“The SPCA in Parys should be proud of the work they do – but should be especially proud of the kindness and love we have always seen them show the animals in their care, says Sarah.
Another dimension to this year’s outreach is a full day of interaction with learners in the Tumahole community in the form of a “drills and skills morning” at the Fezile Dabi Stadium, followed by a seven-a-side mini soccer tournament
Before heading home the volunteers will raise funds for Epilepsy SA’s Free State/North West Centre in a fun and exciting way.
Bring your car to the Parys Golf & Country Estate (clubhouse) and the St Johns College and Community Hours volunteers will make your car sparkle and shine in support of the Epilepsy Centre in Parys.
For R25 and a smile, they will give your car a wash and go and will brighten your day and the days of the residents at Epilepsy SA Parys.
“It is sure to be a full, fabulous and truly engaging week, and we are looking forward to being a part of such a welcoming community.”
Thank you, Parys, for allowing us to return to your homes and your hearts, you have certainly captured ours!,” Sarah said in her message to the community.
