Protea Primary, facing closure, gets Christmas gifts

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Mongezi Mtati

The Protea Primary in Bonteheuwel, Western Cape, will close after 50 years of teaching, as part of the centres affected by the Western Cape Education Department's decision governing small and poorly performing schools. To cheer up the children and staff, RamsayMedia delivered Christmas hats, party packs and presents.

The company has supported the school with sandwiches and fruit - and soup in winter - to the learners at the school, identified by the Peninsula School Feeding Scheme as among the neediest in Cape Town.

"Our school is situated in a poverty-stricken area. Most of our learners depend on the school's feeding scheme as the majority of parents are unemployed and most of our learners go to bed hungry," commented the school's principal, Mabel Valentine.

"It is because of companies like this that contribute so unselfishly to these children, that they can enjoy a warm cup of soup, a filling sandwich and a warm plate of food. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for enabling us to see the joy and thankfulness on their faces.

The staff will continue to fight the decision and explore every avenue to reopen its doors in 2013. "Most of the learners' parents and grandparents also attended this school. The decision does not just affect Protea, but the whole community," she added.