After a fire destroyed reading materials, play equipment and a number of children’s school bags at Sobambisana Primary School in Khayelitsha earlier this year, a packaging company came to their rescue, donating educational material worth thousands of rands.
The handover was held at the Site B school premises on Tuesday June 27.
The Epping-based Neopak said it was more than pleased to have been able to help the school.
Addressing the school staff and pupils at the handover, Herbet Coetzee, the company’s general manager, said: “When you caught fire and lost everything, we heard the cry. Today we are happy to be here and donate towards the education of young people.
“I hope the school will go from strength to strength.”
Their human resources manager Portia Petersen added: “We believe in education and development. We have various educational programmes.
With this donation we hope the children will have enjoyment and fun.”
School principal Mvuyisi Damba was very excited about the handover, recalling the trauma of the day of the fire and how children and teachers had run around, not knowing what to do.
But, he said, he had always believed someone would help them. “Today is a beautiful day after a terrible one that befell us in February.
“It was also terrible two see classes burning.
“This donation will enhance the education and knowledge of our children. We also hope that it will translate into better results.
“This community is grateful for the donation,” he said.
His words were echoed by Grade R head of department, Vuyiswa Dulaze called who on the children and staff members to try to forget the day of the fire and rather focus on celebrating the donation.
School governing body chairperson, Mthinmkhulu Nkasayi, said the school was fortunate to have dedicated staff who would use the donated equipment to the benefit of the children.
