Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Heroes – on and off the field
First 15 rugby players from Bergvliet High School take the time to show that real men do care
THE Bergvliet High School first 15 rugby team recently learnt that one small act of kindness can make a big difference. The team and its coach visited Abundant Life Palliative Care in Wynberg to donate adult nappies and toiletries.
Coach Taariq Enous heard about the initiative from one of the boys. He saw an opportunity to inspire the boys off the field and teach them that real men do care.
He also saw it as a way to create social responsibility awareness amongst them. Enous didn’t want them to just say it, but to actually take action as well.
“The focus on that specific day was how to get the much-needed palliative care outside to each and every patient,” said principal Stephen Price.
“The boys have learnt that making time for people or merely just listening to people makes a big difference,” added Price.
Making sure the day was well received and the team well informed, the parents shared more information with Enous.
When asked how the school knew about Abundant Life initiative, Price said there was a woman who had advanced lung cancer a few years ago and she died a few months after she was diagnosed.
“Dealing with the diagnosis and not having the necessary toiletries was embarrassing for her, but with the love and help she got she could embrace the diagnosis and deal with it,” said Price.
“It was our very first time dealing with someone with cancer and it was a learning curve for us.”
The school realised that there were many more people in the same boat.
It was not the first time these warmhearted pupils had done something like this for the palliative care centre. In December of 2016 the school made a decision to honour the woman who had advanced lung cancer by assisting patients who struggle financially.
Enous said his rugby team was the first from the school to donate for the second time consecutive year.
“The boys always look for opportunities to give back to the community and help those in need. A mom inspired us to be a part of this amazing initiative,” said Enous.
“Spending a few hours talking with the patients, doctors and nurses really motivated the boys to be better people and taught them the value of good health.”
One of the players said they had learnt a lot from their visit because everyone at Abundant Life never gives up. “They have people supporting them is very inspirational,” said the Grade 12 pupil.
“We heard stories from patients that were motivational and opened our eyes to some of the struggles people have to go through,” he added.
After the boys dropped off the package they made way to Newlands Rugby Stadium to pay their final respects to former Springbok legend Chester Williams.