Alisa puts service above self
Childhood visit to Cheshire Home put her on a path leading toward medical studies
ALISA Louw was in primary school when her father took her to a Cheshire Home, for people with disabilities, one Sunday morning. For some time he had been fetching a group of wheelchairbound people who belonged to their church so they could attend Sunday morning services.
It was a small act of kindness, but it made a huge difference in the lives of the Cheshire residents . . . and in his young daughter’s life.
Now a matric pupil at Pearson High, Alisa, 18, has been involved in numerous charity projects as part of her school’s Interact community outreach club, and lives by the club’s motto: Service Above Self.
This has landed her a spot among the finalists in the youth category of the 2015 Herald GM Citizen of the Year awards.
“My plan is to become a doctor. I have always wanted to help people. Being a doctor is probably the best way to touch people’s lives,” she said.
“But when I was in Grade 7, I realised that I did not need a degree in medicine, or any qualification, to make a difference. I saw no reason why I could not reach out to people already.”
Alisa joined the Interact committee when she started at Pearson, and in July last year she was elected club president, leading a group of 20 pupils in various charity events over the past year and a half.
All this was while she juggled her deputy headgirl duties and maintained an A average heading into her matric final exams.
Soon after her election as club president, Alisa put together a fun run for Cheshire Homes that not only raised funds for people with disabilities, but gave them a day of fun and excitement they will not soon forget.
“About 500 pupils from our school took part. But instead of just enjoying the day by ourselves and handing over a cheque afterwards, we involved the people from Cheshire [too],” Alisa said.
“Some of our pupils helped [folk] in wheelchairs along the route, or even just kept them company as they covered the distance themselves.
“Afterwards they joined us for various activities, boerewors rolls and a fun day outside.”
Cheshire Home manager Les Kirkland said the fun run, a new initiative, had been a resounding success because it involved the residents in such a special way.
“Raising funds is one thing, but actively involving our residents in fun events is truly something special,” he said.
“It helps people with disabilities feel they are part of society, giving them a chance to interact with others outside the home.”
Kirkland also praised Alisa for involving a group of elderly residents in a Grannies’ Tea at Pearson, at which 170 residents from various old age homes were treated to an afternoon of snacks and drinks hosted by Alisa and a group of Pearson pupils.
“Alisa has also helped with fundraising for wheelchairs, serving trolleys, furniture and equipment we desperately needed.
“She has helped build a relationship between the Cheshire Home and Pearson that I believe will grow even stronger in coming years,” Kirkland said.
Alisa has also established relationships between Pearson and other schools and organisations across Port Elizabeth.
In December, more than 100 pupils from Piet Retief Primary were brought to Pearson for a Christmas party, where gifts and food parcels were handed out. In January, she collected used stationery from fellow pupils to donate to needy children at Piet Retief.
The Khaya Cheshire outreach for disabled children in Walmer Township also received food parcels and blankets in June this year through Alisa’s efforts.
“I try to include as many of my schoolmates [as I can] in the projects I organise. I want to show them there are people out there who need their help,” she said.
“I try to inspire them to [be part of] outreach programmes, to better the lives of the less fortunate.”
Alisa said her plans to study medicine would probably take her to Cape Town or Stellenbosch next year.
She is sad to be leaving the projects she established behind, but she knows it is a step towards her medical goal.