Katlego Moeng

Katlego Moeng

What started out as a school project has become a community initiative.

Karl van Vuuren, a grade 11 pupil at the Henley Preparatory School in the Mid-Vaal area in Gauteng, had to do 10 hours of community service for his life orientation (LO) portfolio.

His mother suggested that he paint a classroom of the small, public school down the road.

Janine van Vuuren said: "We pass the little school every day and we see children walking there from the squatter camps.

"Whe realised that the school was in great need. Not only could it do with some paint but it had no garden or playground."

She said that her faith in humanity was restored when people opened their hearts and wallets when she approached businesses in the area to help.

"We approached Karl's principal, Mrs Dickenson. She asked other grade 11 and 10 pupils if they wanted to join our project. Not one refused."

With a few phone calls the Van Vuuren's secured paint, brushes, herbs, plants, plumbing supplies, flooring, pipes, blocks, a hose pipe and cleaning aids. A local farmer even gave manure and nut shells.

"We have approached a grass company to donate grass."

Local artists will donate their time to paint murals.

Ann-Sell Corporate Solutions, Austria Nursery and Panorama Nursery, Arkam Trading Capcorv recycling, Concrete Units and Henley Hardware generously donated to the little impoverished school.