Selfless matrics donate dance money to the poor
FAMILIES of Die Gatjie informal settlement in Diep River had food on their tables after pupils from Rondebosch Boys’ High School used money saved for their matric dance to help with parcels.
Grade head Oliver Slingers said the initiative was the brainchild of a Grade 11 representative, Cameron de Kock, who said he wanted to do more for the community during lockdown.
“He said that he had spoken to his fellow pupils in Grade 11 and decided that money they had raised for their matric ball (2021) would be better used to help those who were less fortunate, especially under the current economic climate. We assisted at several places before deciding on a single place to focus on. A place where we felt we could make a difference,” Slingers said.
He added that they had helped 37 families with food parcels that contained basic essentials like tea, sugar and tinned food.
The group also bought chicken that was used to make hot meals.
“As far as the dance goes, there is obviously uncertainty. The Grade 11s do still have plans to have one next year, but we live in uncertain times.”
Slingers said they also assisted with other initiatives, and that they had received requests for help.
“We have had a request to supply party packs for kids in Lavender Hill, and we are currently running a food donation drive for the boys who are back at school to donate towards other kitchens in our community.”
The UN World Food Programme yesterday said projections of the number of people who would be pushed into food insecurity by Covid-19 had increased by 82%.
The programme said it would help those in need across the globe, with executive director David Beasley saying: “The front line in the battle against the coronavirus is shifting from the rich world to the poor world. Until we have a medical vaccine, food is the best vaccine against chaos. Without it, we could see increased social unrest and protests, a rise in migration, deepening conflict and widespread under-nutrition.”