GOBABIS: Epako Secondary school learners on Saturday gave up their weekend rest to assist old age home residents here with household chores, as part of the school’s guardianship programme.
The learners also donated groceries and food stuff to the elderly, gathered through sponsorship from prominent businesses at the town.
The group of eight learners, under the guidance of Brian Kaputuaza, a teacher at the school initiated the programme as a means of reaching out to the community around the school as part of the learners’ social responsibility.
Kaputuaza , who spoke highly of the learners said he had encouraged them to seek a community service initiative as part of a school assignment, said he was pleased when the learners went beyond their usual call of duty to initiate the project with the elderly.
“This is a good example for others to emulate, as children are often seen wandering the streets of Epako (residential area) with little or nothing constructive to keep them busy. “I am very proud of what they did and will continue supporting them in any way possible to give more life to this wonderful idea,” he said.
Kaputuaza, an ardent believer in the potential of his leaners, called on other schools at the town to follow suit and design similar programme for their respective communities. “ We are ready to join forces with any school, community group or institution that intends giing back to the community.
The learners washed dishes, raked the yard and prepared a three-course lunch for the 20 elderly citizens residing at the Epako old age home. One of the learners, Johannes Preko told Nampa that since his grandparents were no more, he had taken a personal interest in the school project as it connected him to the elderly – something he is not privy.
“It felt good assisting our elderly. I did it with passion as I would have done for my own grandparents. We are all part of a global society and I regard them as being my grandparents now,” he said.
Alivan Hlongwane, the centre’s Kitchen Manager and Matron said it was the first time in the history of the centre that school children take up such an initiative.
“I am very honoured that such young school children, who would have spent their Saturday doing other things, would put on their uniform and come to the centre for the better half of their day. May god bless them with many more years,” she said.
Foodstuff was donated to the learners by Metro wholesalers, while other retailers such as Megasave, Spar and Foodzone also contributed to the programme through donations in kind.
(edited)GOBABIS – Epako Secondary School learners on Saturday gave up their weekend rest to assist old age home residents here with household chores, as part of the school’s guardianship programme.
The learners also donated groceries and food stuff to the elderly, gathered through sponsorship from prominent businesses at the town.
The group of eight learners under the guidance of Brian Kaputuaza, a teacher at the school, initiated the programme as a means of reaching out to the community around the school as part of the learners’ social responsibility.
Kaputuaza, who spoke highly of the learners, said he encouraged them to seek a community service initiative as part of a school assignment, and was pleased when the learners went beyond their usual call of duty to initiate the project with the elderly.
“This is a good example for others to emulate, as children are often seen wandering the streets of Epako (residential area) with little or nothing constructive to keep them busy. I am very proud of what they did and will continue supporting them in any way possible to give more life to this wonderful idea,” he said.
Kaputuaza, an ardent believer in the potential of his learners, called on other schools at the town to follow suit and design similar programmes for their respective communities.
“We are ready to join forces with any school, community group or institution that intends giving back to the community,” he noted. The learners washed dishes, raked the yard and prepared a three-course lunch for the 20 elderly citizens residing at the Epako old age home.
One of the learners, Johannes Preko, told Nampa that since his grandparents were no more, he had taken a personal interest in the school project as it connected him to the elderly.
“It felt good assisting our elderly. I did it with passion as I would have done for my own grandparents. We are all part of a global society and I regard them as being my grandparents now,” he said.
Alivan Hlongwane, the centre’s kitchen manager and matron, said it was the first time in the history of the centre that school children take up such an initiative.
“I am very honoured that such young school children, who could have spent their Saturday doing other things, would put on their uniform and come to the centre for the better half of their day. May God bless them with many more years,” she said.
The foodstuff was donated to the learners by Metro wholesalers, while other retailers such as Megasave, Spar and Foodzone also contributed to the programme through donations in kind.