Waterkloof Estate gets ready for Mandela Day

This eight-week long project encourages individuals and local businesses to donate products such children's clothing for ages 7-13 ; shoes; blankets; educational toys and children books, and non-perishable food to alleviate the school's crippled feeding project.

"These scholars live in dire conditions in the Sir Lowry's Pass Village. The lack of education coupled with HIV/Aids, drugs and alcohol abuse have contributed to a 40% unemployment rate with most of the inhabitants barely surviving, having to live without proper sanitation, electricity and water. By reaching out to the school, we aim to make a small difference to this very poor community that has been largely forgotten," explains Waterkloof sales and marketing manager Claudia Young-Kelly.

"We challenge fellow Capetonians to follow Madiba's example by giving some of their time and energy to help these kids, even if it is by making a small donation to the school in any form. We must make every day a Mandela Day and realise that the time is now to do right."

Waterkloof will collect donations leading up to Mandela Day or donors can deliver contributions to the following drop-off sites:

• Waterkloof - Sir Lowry's Pass Village Road, Somerset West.
  
• Manuka at Southey's - Main Road, Somerset West.
  
• Wine Concepts - Kildare Street, Newlands.
  
• Steven Rom - Corner of Beach Road and Stanley Place, Three Anchor Bay.

The official handover ceremony will take place at the Sir Lowry's Pass Primary School on Mandela Day, 18 July, with the contributions benefitting 950 scholars between the ages of 7 and 13.

"These youngsters are the future leaders of South Africa and we cannot instil good values through education if they do not even have the basics such as clothes and food. We know that the parents of these children are facing financial difficulty and would therefore like to assist wherever we can to improve their unfortunate social circumstances," concludes Young-Kelly.

For more information, email Claudia Young-Kelly at az.oc.seniwfoolkretaw@aidualc or go to www.empowerment-project.org.