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No child can learn on an empty stomach

A lack of proper kitchen facilities, unhygienic toilet facilities and flash flood damaged school yards are some of the main challenges that eight schools in the Bushbuckridge area plan to change with the prize voucher they have won from the Cashbuild Art-at-Heart competition.

Bena Audrey Mathebula, principal of Ntsie Primary School, expressed her gratitude when she learnt that hers was one of eight winning schools in the Art-at-heart competition. "We have so many ideas about what to do with the voucher, but right now, we have a burning need for a kitchen to serve the nutritional needs of our learners who go through the day not having eaten a full meal".

Each school will receive a voucher to the value of R12 000 from Cashbuild which will go towards buying building materials to improve their school. Patrick Khutso Mokoena, principal of Dilayi Primary School was filled with excitement about the plans his school has made for using their donation. He said: "Following the flash floods caused by heavy rains in the area, the school ground was damaged and, as a result, vehicles do not have access to our school. We would like to buy bricks and cement to pave the school ground. And when that has been completed, we would also love to fix the ramshackle toilets so that the learners have hygienic facilities."

Meanwhile, Mrs. Jullian.B Ndoweni, principal of Sediba SA Thuto Primary School has grown tired of waiting on government to heed the school's call for proper nutrition and was ecstatic upon hearing the news of her school's win. "Our children come from poor backgrounds; their parents cannot afford to pack lunch for their children on a daily basis. Sadly, we see how the impact of hunger affects the learners' ability to learn, so we have decided to build a kitchen from our Cashbuild voucher." At the official Cashbuild Bushbuckridge store opening ceremony on 15 March, when the building material vouchers totaling R96 000 were presented to all eight schools, the children entertained everyone with singing, cultural dances and theatrical performances.

The Cashbuild Art-at-Heart competition entails learners from each school submitting their best artwork to Cashbuild. This artwork is displayed at the ceremony, and then remains on display in the Cashbuild store for the next five years.

Artwork was judged and three winners from each school were named. Winners received Cashbuild Art-at-Heart gold, silver and bronze certificates for first, second and third place respectively. The Manager's Choice award was also presented to the lucky winner, Tana Mathebula from Twalakule Primary School. This award was announced on the day and the winner received a stationery pack and a glass trophy.

The schools and children that benefited from the Cashbuild Art-at-Heart donations were: br>

Since the Art-at-Heart campaign was launched in 2001, Cashbuild has helped more than 1200 schools with over R12 -million worth of building materials.  Cashbuild is BEE compliant and every time a store is opened, relocated or refurbished, Cashbuild not only makes donations to local schools, but also creates jobs for community members.

The Art-at-Heart competition is a national Cashbuild initiative whereby donations are made to some of the country’s most needy schools.



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