Poverty is a common scenario across the world and local schools know full well the demand on their budget is to keep head above water while at the same time provide their less privileged learners with a nutritious food parcel each day.
But it is not so common for travellers and business personalities from Texas, USA to visit a local school to create awareness among learners about poverty and the efforts by their school to feed those who cannot afford to take lunch to school.
Pietersburg Laerskool is one of those schools who feed approximately 40 learners through their Ystertjies project daily and when a local outfitter in the hunting and photography safari industry, Julious Heyneke noticed the need he was left with no choice but to source with his connections overseas.
Heyneke’s brother-in-law Tijmen and his sister, Anita Felix, have been living in Texas for some years as agents for their safari company. Working closely with Americans travelling to South-Africa on safari, Felix knew his close friends Tony and Brenda Cannpagna and Jonathan and Ginger Kennemer love doing charity work while on vacation.
“We approached them with ideas on how to create awareness on poverty and the great effort Suidskool is putting in to feed less privileged learners daily. We ordered arm bands with the words Texas and Ystertjies printed on the outside while the wording ‘Love One Another’ is engraved on the inside. Each learner received such a band to remind them of the less privileged learners in their school and to be thankful for having something to eat daily,” Felix said, adding that the project was Jonathan and Ginger’s idea.
He added that the bands will hopefully create awareness among parents who are in a position to help the school not only with the Ystertjies but with other issues that are now being neglected as lots of money has to go towards the feeding scheme.
“We have already received calls from people in the business fraternity to help with, among others, replacing the borehole pump which recently failed. We call upon parents and business people to assist the school by any kind of donation or contribution towards the Ystertjies or any other project which was left neglected due to high expenses to continue with the feeding scheme,” Felix said.
During the visit at school on Monday, visitors were taken on a tour of the school to identify more issues which can be addressed.
“We have identified Suidskool as our first project and our goal is to approach other schools in the city and province in the near future to assist where possible,” according to Felix.
Heyneke also extended his gratitude towards Elsje Kemp and Lood Luüs of Vivo Butchery who have already made major contributions.
Story and photo: RC Myburgh
>>rc.observer@gmail.com’
