Groenvlei High School’s matrics are taking on the challenge to raise R45 000 for the school’s Outreach and Legacy Campaign.
That’s R5 000 more than last year’s matric “dream team” raised.
The campaign was started four years ago when the school realised that they needed to focus on more than just academics and that pupils needed to have fun while learning.
The plan was to encourage good attendance and progressive performance, and help pupils develop their talents.
This year, the group consists of five pupils: head girl Jihaan Scello, headboy Mphumzi Luthango, Asemahle Gquma, Chanté Schilder and Nikita Dias.
The chosen beneficiary is Nazareth House, an NPO which has homes in Vredehoek and Elsies River.
Chanté said each matric class had had to pitch the name of a beneficiary but Nazareth House was found to be most in need of funds.
Nazareth House provides a secure home environment for abandoned, neglected, disabled and orphaned children as well as a last resting place for children with terminal conditions who are unable to return home.
They also care for frail aged men and women.
“What we are doing will have a huge impact on their lives. When I contacted the lady, she was in tears. This is our way of giving back to the community,” Chanté said.
In the second term, the team will spend the day at Nazareth House to experience what they do.
Asemahle said he had joined the group when he saw pictures of the children and elderly residents at Nazareth House.
“I wanted to do anything that I could to help them. This is my last year, and I want to leave a mark. This gives me the power to say I did something that will benefit the community and the school,” he said.
Mphumzi said they had decided to increase this year’s target by R5 000 to make a greater impact.
“By doing this, we are changing their lives in a bigger way. This will encourage next year’s matrics to raise an even bigger amount,” he said.
Nikita said they had already started raising money to reach their target. This included a cake sale on Valentine’s Day.
More cakes sales are planned and they will hold a cyclathon on Tuesday March 7. Each class had to nominate pupils who will cycle for 30 minutes and they have a target amount of money to raise.
The Heart Foundation of SA will also partner with Groenvlei for the day and present a talk about healthy living. They will do health screenings, which include measuring height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure.
The pupils have secured sponsors for the bikes from a big gym.
Other fund-raising events will be the annual school dance-a-thon, on Friday May 5, as well as manning a water stand for the Cape Town Cycle Tour, where they will be paid R10 000.
Jihaan said next year’s matrics should remember that they are helping those in need by raising funds.
“It’s for the good of the people. When you spend your time and effort raising funds and you look back years later you will see that people remember your efforts. It will be challenging, especially because you are in in your final year, but you have to push through because you joined for a reason.”
The team also hopes to hold a Christmas party at Nazareth House where they will give each child a toy and each staff member a gift.
Any donations towards the cyclathon will be appreciated.
Contact Gronenvlei High School at 021 703 2227.