Rotarians spread Christmas cheers

Members of the Rotary Club of Polokwane visited some of its current community projects last Wednesday and also delivered Christmas hampers to learners of Siloe School for the Blind and Partially Sighted.
The Rotarians have been involved at Siloe since the 1950s and hosted the first Christmas party in 1954. In 2012 the Rotarians built music classrooms for children to practice their musical talents. Musical instruments were also donated.
President of the club, Pierre Mouton explains that, due to the music teacher leaving and not being replaced the classrooms are currently not being used.
Another project visited was Little Achievers Day Care Centre at Chuenespoort.
The Rotarians, with Blessman International and support from the Rotary Club of Ankeny in the USA, have secured a global grant from Rotary International to construct sanitation facilities at various early childhood development (ECD) centres across the communities surrounding Polokwane. The construction is being undertaken by Blessman International who is the implementing agent for the project.
The aim is to improve sanitation services by using a dry sanitation method (EnviroLoos). All recipients will be trained on hygiene knowledge, behaviour and practices as well as on the maintenance of the systems. Eight schools were identified, after a needs analysis had been completed.
According to Mouton, the completed project is aimed at offering improved sanitation facilities for approximately 2 500 people. Construction has commenced at two of the pre-schools.
Other projects that the club is involved in, include teacher training programmes at ECD centres offered by Shayne Moodie and Elvy Nkwana from Empty Toy Box Education as well as a tree planting project.
The Rotarians received a donation of 300 trees that were planted at various sites around Polokwane and surrounding areas. The club was very busy during the Covid-19 lockdown period. Due to the average age of the club the members were not involved in any activity that exposed them to possible infections.”
However, this did not stop the members from producing stands for water bottles and sanitisers and 17 stations were delivered to various schools and preschools. The club also received a donation of hand sanitation stands from Bronzekey and sanitiser from Sizabantu Piping Systems,” Mouton explains.