Source: 'Louwtjies care,' reads the banner. Photo courtesy of Laerskool Louw Geldenhuys
This is why an initiative involving the pupils of Laerskool Louw Geldenhuys, in Linden in Johannesburg, to supply desperately needed water to communities in Kestell and QwaQwa in the eastern Free State, resonated with Hollard.
The school, responding to a challenge last month by De La Salle Holy Cross College for other schools to provide water to communities in need, held a drive and managed to fill 100 25-litre water bottles from its own borehole. Along with several other donations, including 1 000 litres from Law firm Munro Flowers and Vermaak and two bakkie loads of water from the Gereformeerde Kerk Linden, a total of 9 000 litres of water was collected.
The school’s children were involved throughout, from accessing donations to filling the bottles and loading them for delivery.
Various others came to the party to arrange transport to the Free State, and Hollard sponsored the cost of the diesel for the trip, as well as toll fees. The water was delivered on the morning of 2 February.
“The only way South Africans will get through this terrible drought is if we support each other. In that sense, the drive by the Laerskool Louw Geldenhuys children is simply inspirational,” says Andre van der Merwe, of Hollard Broker Markets.
“We loved their selfless approach to helping others, and it gave us great pleasure to do our bit in getting that water to where it is needed most.”
Connie Piquito, of Laerskool Louw Geldenhuys, says the initiative has gone a long way in teaching the children empathy for others, and they rose admirably to the occasion.
“Our children don’t know what it is to go thirsty. Life is good for them – but there are others who have nothing,” she says, explaining that the water drive has made them more aware of the plight of others and of the need to extend a helping hand.
“I think it’s opened their eyes,” she says, proudly.
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