Donors join hands to fund new classrooms
12 March 2020
Thursday 5 March 2020 marked a milestone for Nederburg Primary School in Lantana, Paarl.
Global donors joined hands to fund brand new Kwikspace classrooms for Grade R and Grade 7 learners at the 56-year-old school.
The Val de Vie Foundation, in collaboration with My School, My Village, My Planet, the Hopewell United Methodist Church, Downingtown Pennsylvania (HUMC), TFG and Rhodes Food Group proved that while alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.
The new classrooms, ISO 9001 quality certified for 20 years, replaced the old classrooms which were in a state of major disrepair. Through a collaboration with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), the donors’ funds were matched to 40 percent, making it possible for the more than R1.8 million upgrade to take place.
“The opportunity to partner with other donors and provide these much-needed facilities shows the true power of collaboration,” said Pieter Twine, General Manager at MySchool, My Village, My Planet.
The unveiling ceremony was a true highlight on the school calendar with speeches from Executive Mayor Conrad Poole, Juan Benjamin, Director of the Cape Winelands Education District, the Val de Vie Foundation and keynoted by Tony and Cammy Brantzeg who traveled from HUMC in the USA.
Principal Melville Lawrence moved the audience with his testimony on what this investment meant to the entire school and community. He said the new classrooms will instil a renewed sense of pride in the community and 851 learners. He added that the upgraded space commanded a new sense of dedication and inspiration which will ultimately be reflected in improvement of the academic results.
“Strengthening communities is at the heart of everything we do. These renovations will create comfortable spaces that enhance learning for years to come,” said Deidre Vrede, CSI consultant at TFG.