Scots do voluntary work

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - During their annual visit to Vuyani, the children's home in Graaff-Reinet, volunteers of Lathallan School in Scotland, once again honoured the late Nelson Mandela's call to support charities.

Lathallan School exemplifies this spirit with their annual volunteer work each July.

Vuyani Safe Haven is a registered Child and Youth Care Centre in Graaff-Reinet, providing safety and care for 36 orphans and vulnerable children.

The children have either lost their parents or caregivers, or have been removed from their households due to parental incapacity. Some of the residents are also former street children.

Introduced to Vuyani through the Samara Volunteer Project, a brief connection blossomed into an annual visit from Lathallan School of Johnshaven.

This opportunity, to take part in a volunteering trip to South Africa during their summer recess, started in 2011. After a three-year interruption due to Covid, the programme was resumed last year.

Since 2011, 50 Lathallan pupils have visited Vuyani and their projects include renovations, developing a playground and sport facilities, creating vegetable boxes, interior decorating, resources for Vuyani's Learning Centre and securing funding. As a school community, they have raised over £30 000 for Vuyani with the help of a major law firm.

Vuyani extends its heartfelt appreciation to the parents, staff and pupils of Lathallan whose support is invaluable, even if they may never have the opportunity to visit Vuyani in person.

Over the years Lathallan pupils have found their interaction with the Vuyani children a most enriching experience and the youngsters are remembered with great fondness. Vuyani's children also look forward to meeting new overseas friends every year.

Vuyani PRO, Riana van der Ahee says Vuyani wishes to honour all the teachers from Lathallan School who initiated and led this volunteering project over the years.

"We are extremely grateful for their efforts in bringing these amazing young people to our children's home. They provided leadership services that extended beyond fundraising and physical renovations, fostering meaningful interactions with the Vuyani family."

At the moment Vuyani is desperately in need of running shoes for the children. For more information or donations contact Riana van der Ahee at 079 425 6077.

Volunteers of Lathallan School in Scotland at the Mountain Drive parkrun as part of their Mandela Month campaign.