IN support of Mandela Day, almost 400 volunteers took it upon themselves to improve and repair the condition of Opelweg Primary School in Eden Park on July 21.
The act of charity, which was organised by Bridge Church, is part of their annual relief efforts in the Mandela Week. “It’s important for us to create something that lasts,” said Andrew Graetz, one of the organisers of the event.
“We want to walk a path with the school and help them further. On the day, 290 volunteers from Bridge joined forces with 90 volunteers from the school, which included teachers, students, leaders and parents, to improve the appearance of the school,” he continued.
Opelweg provides education to over 2 000 children free of charge and is, therefore, dependent on donations and goodwill to keep up the appearance of the school. “We are thankful for everything the volunteers have done for us today,” said Roger John, principal of Opelweg Primary.
The volunteers on the day painted the entire perimeter palisade fence around the school field. They painted the staff area which includes the principal’s office, staff room, secretary offices and bathrooms. They also painted the bathrooms in the main hall and the children’s bathrooms.
Poles of walkways, passage gates and security doors, were also on the list of features the volunteers touched up. A total of 33 shelving units were installed in classrooms that provide four levels of space for the stacking of school books.
Lastly, repairs were made to many parts of the fencing around the school. The costs for all of this was supplied through Bridge Church that added R17 000 and donations towards the project which amounted to a total of R159 050.
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