The Albany Museum’s Education Department spent last Friday fulfilling the Mandela day mandate, by spending 67 minutes handing out clothing, blankets, sporting equipment and books to Manley Flats and Wilson’s Party farm schools.
The Albany Museum’s Education Department spent last Friday fulfilling the Mandela day mandate, by spending 67 minutes handing out clothing, blankets, sporting equipment and books to Manley Flats and Wilson’s Party farm schools.
"The project was started as part of the mobile museum outreach programme as a means to help the community," says Marijke Lewis, the HOD of Education at the museum.
The idea came from the museum’s manager, Bongani Mgijima, who was then assisted by Lewis and other museum staff members including Nozipho Madinda, Zongezile Matshoba and Phulani Cimi.
Donations were made by museum staff members, Rhodes affiliates, and private individuals, as well as the very generous donation of a new vehicle from Settlers City Toyota and the Rotary Sunset Club. Lewis adds that "City Fashions, on Bathurst Street, were extremely kind in donating brand new school clothing".
Vuyelwa Pinini, a parent of a student at Manley Flats, said "It’s a great thing, the children don’t usually benefit in this way because they come from a poor background. I am very pleased". The Manley Flats school consists of learners from Grade R to 7, with the 57 students comprising of one big class.
The aim of the day was to fulfil former President Mandela’s wish of spending 67 minutes helping an individual or your community. "To spread some goodwill and to give these often forgotten farm learners and their teachers a sense of being cared for.
They work against very hard odds, some people in the community are not even aware that these farm schools exist! It makes a difference in peoples’ lives," says Lewis. The museum is hoping to make it an annual event, and welcomes the public to clear out their cupboards for donations.
