In recognition of the 67
years of his life Madiba devoted to serving humanity, Waterkloof Estate, a
sustainable wine estate on the outskirts of Somerset West, reached out to the
poverty-stricken Sir Lowry’s Pass Village as part of its continued support for
the Sir Lowry’s Pass Community Empowerment Project.
The tone was set by
Madiba himself, and in honouring this selfless cause, Waterkloof’s staff spend
the day at the crippled Sir Lowry’s Pass Primary School and dished out nutritious soup, fresh
bread and cool drinks and potato chips to 1000 needy scholars between the ages
of 7 and 13.
“Sir Lowry’s Pass Village is the closest
community to Waterkloof. It is here where we choose to make a difference.
Working with the Sir Lowry’s Pass Village Empowerment Project we contributed
towards the Sir Lowry’s Pass Literacy Program this year. The program is
aimed at the literacy development of most of the children aged 3-13 years,”
shares Claudia Young-Kelly, Sales and Marketing Manager at Waterkloof Estate.
The trust recently decided to build
classrooms for an extended program which will provide early childhood
development as well as numeracy and literacy development for about 1300
children in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village. The final plan is to build 8 classrooms
and an office and exhibition room.
“The program has seen significant
improvements in the capabilities of the children over the past three years.
Reading improved by 200% on average per annum and literacy by 400% during 2012.
It was great to view the progress of these classrooms during our visit on
Thursday,” shares an elated Claudia.
These scholars live in dire conditions in
the Sir Lowry’s Pass Village. The lack of education coupled with HIV/Aids,
drugs and alcohol abuse have contributed to a 40% unemployment rate with most
of the inhabitants barely surviving, having to live without proper sanitation,
electricity and water.
“By reaching out to the school, not only
on Tata’s special birthday, but throughout the year, we aim to assist wherever
we can to improve the unfortunate social circumstances of this very poor
community that has been largely forgotten. At Waterkloof we strive to take
action, inspire change and make every day a Mandela Day with a focus on food
security and literacy,” adds Claudia.
Last year, Waterkloof, in conjunction with
the Sir Lowry’s Pass Community Empowerment Project, initiated a donation campaign
which challenged individuals and local businesses to donate clothing,
educational toys and non-perishable food to the primary school. Waterkloof also
donated school shoes and socks to 125 Grade 1 learners and soup, sweets and
drinks to all the scholars on the day.
“Education
improvement is the only route to a long term cohesive affluent South Africa,”
shares Paul Boutinot, owner of Waterkloof.
For more information on Waterkloof Estate
contact Tel: 021 858 1292, visit www.waterkloofwines.co.za
or send an email to claudia@waterkloofwines.co.za.
For more information on the Sir Lowry’s
Pass Community Empowerment Project and its Sir Lowry’s Pass Literacy Program
visit www.empowerment-project.org or
contact Campher Serfontein on Tel: 083 655
5590.