Groenvlei High School’s Grade 12 pupils plan to raise R50 000 for their Outreach and Legacy campaign, which is now in its 5th year. The initiative was started when the school realised they needed to focus on more than just academics.
The pupils also needed to have fun while learning as this would encourage good class attendance and better performance, while also developing pupils’ talents.
Over the years the Outreach and Legacy campaign did just that, helping to develop leadership skills and build confidence.
Naeela Debeer said they chose the Sarah Fox Children’s Convalescent Hospital in Bridgetown as this year’s beneficiary after they had spent a day at the hospital during the December school holidays last year.
“We realised how much they needed our support and how many things they needed to keep running the hospital. One of the team members’ mother also worked there and it’s so close to us. They are also in need of a water supply because they don’t get that as a donation anymore and have to spend money buying it. So people can drop water donations off at our school and we will take it there once we have enough,” she said.
The funds raised will be divided between the school and the hospital.
The group of 25 pupils will host fund-raising events throughout the year.
Kelly Appolis said they started off with an inter-house athletics day earlier this month, followed by a boerewors sale at school. They will also be hosting a Valentine’s Day show and a team will be taking part in the annual Cape Town Cycle Tour where they will man water stands for which they will earn R20 000.
“Other fundraising efforts include a Dance-a-thon in April and a Colour Run at school later in the year,” she said.
Naeela said that although it had been challenging to juggle school work and working on the fund-raisers, she knew that the team’s hard work would pay off.
“It was hard work, we had to walk from shop to shop to buy things for the fund-raisers and still do homework. While it was stressful and challenging we have learnt from it and will do things better,” she said.
Head girl Sanelisiwe Daniso said what she found challenging was trying to sell items to the pupils at a price where they could still make a profit.
“We had cupcakes on sale and we eventually had to sell it for R1 each because at the end of the day we are still selling to pupils,” she said.
The team have appealed to the community for help in the form of monetary donations and to buy items sold at the events.
Head boy Cheslin January said: “I want us to work together as a team and achieve our goals. I want to put my all into this and make our dreams possible.”
Teacher Godfrey Hendrickse said he encourages pupils to manage their time wisely so they can cope with academics and outreach work.
“It’s about the holistic development of the pupils. We focus on academics but we also give as much attention to the spiritual, emotional, and psychological development of the pupils so that when they leave they are able to take their rightful place in society,” he said.
He said over the years the school has seen how much the project benefits the pupils.
“It teaches them so many things such as self discipline and perseverance, and most importantly, the spirit of ubuntu.”