Overflow of help passed on
THE generous show of goodwill by the Bay community following a fire that broke out in a dormitory at the Gamble Street Secondary School hostel, amounted to a surplus of donations which will be given to Uitenhage Child Welfare.
Businesses, churches, nonprofit organisations and individuals hastily heeded the call for assistance following the fire – so much so that the school now has a surplus of clothing and bedding, which will be passed on.
The fire broke out on August 9 in a dormitory while the pupils were in a study hall below.
This led to 80 pupils being evacuated from the hostel.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but a crime is not suspected.
Principal Anne Radcliffe said cash donations had amounted to about R35 000, the majority of which was from local churches.
Businesses, individuals, the municipality, NPOs, schools and the SAPS chipped in with donations of toiletries, stationary, clothing and bedding.
“It truly was inspiring to see the community’s willingness to help. The day after the fire, the call went out for assistance,” Radcliffe said.
“The very next day the donations started pouring in. We actually had to open the school on Saturdays to collect donations.
“In terms of cash donations, we received about R35 000, which will be used to buy beds, cupboards and curtains.
“But pupils’ parents have really come to our aid, cleaning the hostel, washing walls and prepping it for the repairs.
“There is still a lot to be done in the hostel, but fortunately the department has conducted their inspections and are already at the tender stage to have the repairs done.”
She said all the girls had returned to the hostel by August 20, and were being housed in four of the five dormitories.
“It is a little cramped at the moment but the girls have been very considerate of each other. Fortunately it hasn’t seemed to affect their schooling,” she said.
Matric pupil Sinoxolo Kefile, 17, said: “Because of all the help we got, we were able to focus on our school work and prepare for trial exams. We didn’t have to worry about our personal belongings, because other people were concerned for us.”
Radcliffe said Ward 48 councillor Tyrone Adams and PR councillor Goergen Miggels had also organised a gospel benefit concert, with the proceeds being donated to the school.
A final fundraiser will take place at the Jubilee Hotel on Saturday, which will see at least 10 local DJs perform.
All proceeds will be donated to the school.