Learners and teachers from the Kingfisher Learning Centre (KLC) wanted to do something special to remember and honour the family and friends they have lost to Covid-19.
The centre, which was established in 2004, is a small English primary school in Horison. As part of the Grade 7 learners’ Leave a Legacy gift, they came up with the initiative to buy a tree by which their late loved ones could be remembered and their memories could live on.
“An olive tree was chosen as it is among the oldest known cultivated trees in the world, dating back to before the written language was invented. It is considered a holy trees and a symbol of peace. The trees are strong, and we hope this tree will give strength to those who need it in their time of grief,” Janine Basson from the school said.
On Wednesday, September 15 each learner and staff member who lost a loved one was given a heart with that person’s name on it. They then hung each heart on a branch during a very special ceremony.
“Psalm 52 verse 8 says ‘I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever’. We hope that each person who had tied a heart to the tree will find closure and be reminded of their passed loved ones each time they catch a glimpse of the tree,” Janine concluded.
