A group of Grade 12 pupils at Groenvlei High School who are known as the “Dream Team” have raised more than R40 000 for their school’s Outreach and Legacy campaign.
The initiative was started four years ago when the school realised also needed to focus on more than just academics and that pupils needed to have fun while learning in order to encourage good attendance and progressive performance, and develop their talents.
The Outreach and Legacy campaign did just that – it developed the leadership skills within each of one the participants and helped build their confidence levels.
Nafiesa Hoosain said they chose the Sunflower Fund as the beneficiary for this year as they work with leukaemia patients.
In order to raise funds for the Sunflower Fund, the school held a dance-a-thon, eat and treat, and also manned a water stand at the Cape Town Cycle Tour for which they were paid R10 000 for the day.
Another Grade 12 pupil, Aneeka Fisher, said that some of the challenges included walking door to door to sell tickets. But low ticket sales, said Aneeka, nearly saw them cancelling the eat and treat event. On the day, however, things turned around, with more than 100 people coming out to support the pupils.
Head girl Chantel Dennis said that being part of the team had given her more confidence.
“I realised that you can achieve all the goals that you set, through persistence. I gained entrepreneurial skills as I learnt about how to budget and improved my communication skills,” said Chantel.
The other team members were Ganiefa Jones, Galiema Titus, Kelly Oliver, Siphosethu Mwanda and Asenathi Tukani.
Half of the funds raised will go into Groenvlei High’s Legacy Project and the other half to the Sunflower Fund.
Janine le Roux, PR and events specialist at the Sunflower Fund, said that she was very proud of the school for always keeping their word and reaching their targets.
“We often get approached by schools to donate to our fund but a lot of things happen along the way and they get side tracked. From the get-go Groenvlei has given us 200 percent commitment. They have excelled in everything they’ve wanted to do for us. I would like to thank everyone for supporting us, they can be so proud of what they have achieved,” said Ms Le Roux.
She added that many of the pupils who were part of the group have become bone marrow donors as well.
“A test to become a bone marrow donor is about R2 000 so this money will be used for that. We hope to continue our relationship with them,” she added.
Principal Nico Toni Adamson, said that he was extremely proud of the pupils. “This programme allows pupils to develop skills which they can carry life-long.
“They are able to be employed with the skills that they attained through the outreach programme. They get to travel, meet new people, and explore the world,” said Mr Adamson.
He added that it was important for pupils to part take in outreach programmes at the school so that they could leave the school well-rounded.
“It keeps us going, so that our days are not only about teaching. In this way we form closer relationships with our pupils.”