“Making a difference in people’s lives and caring for communities is the finest gift you can give to those who cannot afford it.”
This is the vision of the Melkbosstrand High School Interact Club committee of 2023.
A Melkbos Rotary Club affiliate, it believes with help and support it can play a significant part in helping underprivileged communities confront and overcome the challenges they face.
The few girls from the school in the club have initiated school projects to establish better goodwill and relationships with disadvantaged schools.
Aged 12 to 18, they have learnt the essential values of Rotary and how to spread them through interacting and engaging meaningfully with the world beyond the school.
They have become the face of their school for surrounding neighbourhoods such as Vaatjie, Melkbosstrand Care Centre, and other areas in order to make a difference in the lives of locals and other pupils.
According to the girls it is not always easy since they confront difficulties; nevertheless, with the help and supervision of educator Susanna de Kock and June Petit from Melkbos Rotary they may overcome these obstacles because of guidance and encouragement for in their projects.
Rotary’s support is invaluable, Deloches Witbooi (president) said. It is sometimes difficult for the girls to organise projects because they have only 20 minutes a week to spend on this activity, what with school and after-school activities and sports events, but their efforts to stay on top of community initiatives are important to each of them.
Participating in fundraising projects, establishing community awareness campaigns and exchanging ideas with others is the motivation for these Melkbosstrand High School learners to help others.
“We believe we can make a difference in the lives of communities with the support of other students at the school,” Deloches added.
The girls will join the Rotary Club of Melkbos for a One-to-One project for the intellectually challenged at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday 13 August, where they will interact with more than 1 000 disabled and intellectual children.
Said De Kock: “I am very proud of these girls on the committee and how they inspire boys and girls who belong to the club from 15 learners and what they have accomplished during my seven years with the Melkbosstrand Interact Club, as they create and open doors for others.”
