U19 SA cricketers donate to Indian school
A primary school in Visakhapatnam, India, received an unexpected but welcome donation from the South African U19 cricket team during the quadrangular tournament.
The 16 sportsmen were so moved by the hard work of St John’s Parish Primary School staff and the community, they decided of their own accord to donate R10 000 from their daily allowances to the school.
The donation was handed over by team captain, King Edward VII School pupil and Old Edwardian Society premier league player Yaseen Valli and team manager Morgan Pillay.
The money will be put into a new trust fund to sponsor the education and clothing of one new pupil each year.
“It was a very emotional visit for us. The reception we received… has been unbelievably humbling, and I was moved beyond words that the school decided to name a project that will shape one pupil’s future every year after us,” said Valli.
Old Eds’ Mike Dunk said the principal hailed the team’s generosity and the quiet manner in which they had made the donation.
“She said they had seen many cricket teams visit the school and spend time with the children, but this was the first time a team had left a legacy,” said Dunk.
The school, staffed by 50 teachers, caters for 1500 pupils and focuses on underprivileged children within the parish of St John’s Anglican Church. Its main source of income is donations.
