“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived; it is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” – Nelson Mandela
Mandela Day is celebrated around the world to honour one of South Africa’s most loved public figures, Nelson Mandela. He believed that education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world. Suncoast is proud to have played a role in changing the world of young students through its association with local NGO Vukukhanye who support a number of local early education centres and schools in the Chesterville community.
In support of Mandela Day 2022, the Suncoast management team with the help of some skilled tradesmen, revamped one of the classrooms at the Vukukhanye Educare Centre located in Chesterville. The centre is responsible for the care, education and feeding (2 meals per day) of 50 children aged 2 to 5 years. The classroom, a refurbed park home, was in serious need of some repairs and upgrades. The project brief included replacement of the metal stairs which were rusty and deteriorating, the upgrade and revamp of the two classroom doors and an exterior paint as well as water proofing.
The team got to work and replaced all the classroom stairs with concrete stairs, the exterior of the classroom was treated with water proofing and got a fun, colourful paint makeover and the doors were repaired and painted. The end result is a bright, safe classroom for the Red Group who will return from holidays to a brand new look!
Suncoast Operations Director, Adam MacIntyre, said “Being able to help, and not just on Mandela Day, knowing that we can make a difference to the teachers and children who will be returning to this classroom is humbling. There is no better way to give back to our community than through education for our youth and we are very proud of our association with Vukukhanye and the work they do within education in the Chesterville community.”
“A big thanks goes out to SUNCOAST for their ongoing support. The upgrades done are certainly going to put big smiles on the children’s (and teachers) faces when they return from holiday. To have a safe, bright classroom is a great way to start the new term” says Dr Anthony van der Meulen, CEO of Vukukhanye.
In addition to the classroom upgrade, Suncoast and Thirsti water donated 67 five litre bottles of water for each child to take home to their family.
Vukukhanye is a non-profit and public benefit organization, formed in 2001, concerned with the care and support of orphans and vulnerable children and vulnerable families’ particularly in the community of Chesterville in Cato Manor (eThekwini).
For more details on the organisation visit www.vukukhanye.org.