Every day our skies are filled with the sounds of planes and helicopters and many children in South Africa only ever get to look up and wonder where they might be going.
A chance to fly in one of these machines is a far-fetched dream and the thought of a career in the skies impossible to imagine. But every year a group of pilots, members of the aviation community and corporate sponsors come together to take part in The Children’s Flight, which was hosted by Grand Central Airport in Midrand this year.
This year, Grade 8s and 9s from Seren House Cottage School volunteered their time to The Children’s Flight team as part of their community service. The Seren House learners went to Grand Central Airport on 6 September and spent the morning ready to help where possible – whether it was a box that needed to be carried, children to be met, T-shirts to be handed out, or goody bags to be organised – to ensure the day ran as smoothly as possible.
“As a school, we pride ourselves in showing kindness. Every term we try to volunteer or help a charity in some way. This term, The Children’s Flight was a wonderful opportunity for our learners to help those less fortunate than them and to just experience an event that was organised so brilliantly and to take note of all the effort society and individuals put in to help others,” exclaimed Seren House teacher Simone Stenemann.
This year over 300 children from various organisations were given the opportunity to see the planes and helicopters up close and have an opportunity to take to the skies. There were over 100 corporate sponsors, as well as many volunteers from the aviation community, which included pilots and ground staff.
“It was really great day and it was a privilege to be a part of this and to be able to help and give disadvantaged children some joy and the opportunity to do something they have never done before,” said Kai Vennell, a Seren House Cottage School Grade 8 learner.
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