The learners of Grayston Preparatory School were eager to spread a little happiness on National Random Acts of Kindness Day on 17 February. The occasion, which originated in New Zealand, is celebrated by individuals, groups, schools and organisations across the world to encourage acts of kindness.
The Grayston family, along with teacher Mart-Marie Archer and the outreach committee, decided to take part by asking the learners to bring a fluffy toy to school to donate to the children at the Teddy Bear Foundation.
According to Dalene Bishop, donor liaison officer at the foundation, the learners did a great job in collecting just over 1 000 toys. “This day was a great success and we thank everyone for their generous donations.”
The foundation provides free integrated services such as medical exams, therapy and court preparation to children who have been abused and their families. They also run a number of outreach projects including school awareness programmes, initiatives addressing gender-based violence in schools and a support programme for abuse-reactive children, giving them a second chance in life by diverting them away from the criminal justice system.
“Our mission is to minimise the secondary harm to children and their families when they enter the child protection system by providing expertise, information and support in order to make their journey a healing one,” Bishop concluded.
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