Nedbank spends Mandela Day at school in Newlands
"This was not just a day away from the office for them, they were here to render a service."
“I appreciate their high-spirited attitude. You can see they are here to render a service and not just having a day away from the office,” said Phebe Botman-Kerspuy, principal of the Coronation Training Centre.
The school is situated in Newlands, and provides specialised education and support for intellectually impaired learners. “Because the majority of our learners are from low-income families that cannot contribute to the school’s cashflow needs, we are compelled to look to the private and public sectors for help. That is why the Nedbank Property finance group’s decision to choose our school for their Mandela Day outreach is appreciated so much,” she said.
She added that it was a nice gesture from them to take an interest in their school and the children, as they are most often forgotten. “Because they are intellectually impaired, their disabilities are not always visible, which often leads to them being misunderstood. Their economic status also leads to discrimination,” Phebe said.
This is not the first year the Nedbank group chose to help the school. “Last year they re-painted our computer room, to make it more learner-friendly and conducive to education,” she said.
Wardah Peters, the chairperson of the Nedbank Property Finance Angels said they form part of the Nedbank Foundation. “We formed this committee at the start of this year and have done quite a few charity projects. As part of the foundation, we are encouraged to undertake as many projects as possible during the year,”she said.
The group spent two days at the school (17 and 18 July) and their activities included installing and painting of concrete benches and tables, installing netting in the school’s garden to protect the vegetables, sorting the storerooms as well as the wood container, placing pottery, and painting various games onto the concrete playing area.
But, this is not a once-off thing for the group, as they have made a commitment to work together with the school for a few more years. “We are pleased to say that Nedbank will be helping us by implementing a school-leaver’s initiative, so we can help our school-leaver’s to settle into the adult world,” Phebe said with a big smile.
Phebe is appealing to the community to find it in their hearts to help the school as they are struggling with quite a few matters. “If there is someone who can help by sponsoring the school fees for a learner, or maybe assist with transport or even donating groceries for our feeding scheme, it will be much appreciated. I can be contacted on 011 673 5220,” she concluded.
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