GreenTEC project a win for students and Kwazakhele school
Health and hygiene have been heightened for more than 200 pupils at Masakhane Primary School in Kwazakhele after their dilapidated ablution block received a revamp and their playground a facelift.
GreenTEC (Green Technologies Engineering Co-operative) got stuck in this week, and painted and fixed five of the six toilets, as well as painting a variety of games for pupils to enjoy on the playground.
GreenTEC chair Siyamthanda Gwayi said the co-operative was registered last year, and comprised seven young people who completed their civil engineering and electrical engineering at the PE TVET College campus in Struandale.
Co-operative secretary Thandile Martins said they went to three schools in the area and did a needs analysis before opting to assist Masakhane.
“We approached Prof Cheryl Walter from the [Nelson] Mandela University human movement sciences department and received a budget of R1,500 from her PasSPORT to Health Project.
“Out of six toilets [at Masakhane], only one was in working order.
“We first painted the toilets, both girls and boys, and did plumbing to ensure all the toilets are working.”
GreenTEC also painted six games on the school premises and fixed the swings.
“We feel excited now that the project is handed over and have a sense of accomplishment, because we completed what we had set out to do,” Martins said.
Walter said her students, through the PasSPORT to Health Project, raised funds to enhance playgrounds at schools.
“They [GreenTEC] did all the work to make the toilets habitable and hygienic for kids to use. In turn, they gain skills and give back to the community.
“It is a win-win for my project because we want to promote the health of children through play and clean and hygienic toilets.”
Principal Lonwabo Mabindisa said the school faced many challenges such as vandalism and unsupportive parents.
He said he was grateful that GreenTEC had chosen his school for their project.
“They have done everything they promised to do to make the lives of the pupils better,” Mabindisa said.