During trying times, it is always best to lend a helping hand. This is exactly what GrandWest Casino and Golden Valley Casino did for Roodewal Primary and Valhalla Secondary School.
The teachers of Roodewal Primary had their learners’ best interests at heart and approached Golden Valley Casino to tell them about the hardships students and their families face – students often going to school hungry and barefoot.
The casino then donated 98 pairs of school shoes to the students.
“We had initially decided to donate 50 pairs of shoes but when we realized how many more children were in need, we increased the number. Seeing the joy on the faces of children whose parents battle to provide them with food, let alone shoes, was very humbling,” said Golden Valley’s General Manager Keenan Bergins.
Bergins applauded the teachers’ commitment to actively get involved in the development of their learners.
GrandWest Casino gifts Valhalla Secondary School over R274 000 for their new kitchen facility
In other news, GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World has also provided a helping hand to Valhalla Secondary School by contributing towards building and equipping a new kitchen facility.
The socio-economic development initiative partnered with the Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA).
The association addresses hunger in underprivileged young learners and students attending educational institutions through school feeding and other developmental initiatives with the aim of improving school attendance.
GrandWest General Manager Mervyn Naidoo said, “We have provided Valhalla Secondary in Elsie’s River with R74 250 to ensure that 165 learners on the school feeding programme are provided with daily nutritious meals, as well as R200 000 towards supplying and installing a pre-fabricated kitchen.”
Naidoo further stated, “Due to Covid-19 and the downturn of the economy, there are so many more learners needing nutrition at schools and GrandWest is pleased to be able to feed hungry young mouths.”
Previously, the school used its Consumer Studies classroom as a kitchen. Now, thanks to the received assistance, it will be able to reintroduce this as a subject.
“Having this dedicated space will allow us to continue and expand upon our much-needed feeding programme,” said Valhalla Secondary’s principal, Martin Lesch.
“Learners cannot be expected to sit at their desks and concentrate on their books when their stomachs are empty, so this donation is truly one which contributes towards the future of our country, by helping to develop the next generation of leaders.”
