As National Child Protection Week kicks of today, Casual Day has more good news about the impact that the funds raised by the campaign are having in communities all over South Africa. Wheelchair swings and a round-about custom-designed for learners in wheelchairs were recently installed at the campus of Basizeni Special School in eMbalenhle, Evander, in Mpumalanga Province, bringing much joy and pleasure to the learners.
They were purchased with the proceeds of last year’s Casual Day donations and are ‘bringing joy to our wheelies’, says Basizeni staffer Mariette Botha. The school was the top performer in the province, raising R115 590 in donations from the public. “A portion of the donations are utilised by the school and the remainder goes to create awareness of persons with disabilities countrywide. We are very proud that not only did we benefit but that we are able to make a contribution to the disability sector nationally. Our contribution was a significant R69 558,” says Botha.
The Casual Day funds have been put towards playground development and the school has already done some upgrades. Says Botha: “I wish I could convey the joy on the faces of the children when they first experience the swings for the first time. As a teacher at Basizeni I feel humbled and privileged to be involved at this school. Our mission is to make a difference. ‘Dis-abled learners’ and ‘Differently abled learners’ at Basizeni School have many challenges, but with our new principal, Mrs Mirriam Rampai at the helm, we are prepared to face them.
“The school is 21 years old and needs maintenance inside and outside. The focus is on developing and creating classrooms, workshops, play-ground and sport environments with the necessary educational equipment, giving each learner the opportunity to develop to his or her full potential.
“Basizeni has positive, enthusiastic staff members and joyful learners. The only obstacle standing in the way of us achieving our vision is funding. We are entering a new phase, revamping the campus and getting a bus,” she adds.
Basizeni School learners discover the joys of playground equipment for the first time. On the roundabout are Retshepile Mbonani and Zinhle Ngcobo. Casual Day funds at Basizeni School go towards upgrading the school playground. These swings were custom-designed for the children in wheelchairs. On the swings are Winile Sibiya and Zinhle Ngcobo.
Chairman of the School Governing Body, Louis Botha, adds: “It is a privilege to apply my expertise to improve the lives of young children with special needs. We are committed to improving life skills to provide a space for every learner.”
Find your local Casual Day organisation and see how you can help. To support Basizeni School, call Mariette Botha at 082 459 1009. The theme is: Up Your Game, so get casual for a cause and help us to change lives one wheelchair at a time!
The funds are raised as a result of a R10 donation for a Casual Day sticker.
Alan Straton
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