After operating from an informal structure filled with holes for the last three years, Hazel Booysen, who helps children in Hankey with their homework and school projects, is ready to open the doors of her newly refurbished centre just in time for the winter season.
As previously reported in the Kouga Express, in 2019, Booysen began helping children in Hankey with their homework and school projects in an informal structure in her backyard.
She then established Tutor Spot, a homework centre for school children to help at least 23 learners, between the ages of seven and 16, each day after school.
However, since the informal structure, which Booysen runs her homework centre from, was filled with holes and on May 7 she hosted a fund-raising event to repair the centre before the winter season started.
Fortunately, she was able to raise a total of R3 470.
“I was beyond amazed by the support we got from our community at our fund-raising event.
“Even though it was raining very hard people still managed to pitch from near and far to show their support,” said Booysen.
With the money raised, she said they broke down the entire structure and began laying a solid foundation.
Thereafter, they began the process of putting the building together again using the previous window frames, windows, door, and security bars on the windows.
Once the structure was up, they completed the final touches which included painting the building, purchasing a burglar gate, and varnishing the door and window frames.
“When the children first saw the new and improved building, they were very happy because now they had a suitable structure for winter and rainy days,” said Booysen.
During the construction process, Booysen assisted the children in her home and is excited about opening the doors to her refurbished centre when the schools open again later this month.
“We are more than grateful for the building, and I get emotional whenever I think of the event and the hard work we have put in to get where we are today,” said Booysen.
Thankfully, as more people learnt about her project more were interested in helping.
She said once local poet Gabriel Plaatjies initiated the idea to host a fund-raising event, Katelyn Fortuin and Elivo Fortuin quickly jumped on-board to help with the arrangements while Ward Councillor Vuyani Zana paid for the rental of the hall where the event was held.
Booysen said she was very grateful to receive donations of sanitary towels for the young girls at the centre, from PEP Stores in Patensie and refreshments from Maré-lee de Beer, which were sold at the event.
Once she had begun with the construction of the centre, she said she received help from Le Roux Broers (Lrb) who were generous enough to transport the necessary building material while Volkskerk van Afrika donated additional goods needed for the centre.
Furthermore, she said she received financial help and support from Claude George, Kelly Primo and Claurentia Fortuin, which helped a great deal.
“I am looking forward to hopefully expanding the centre in the future to assist more children,” said Booysen.
