1 December 2008: Ysterplaat Junior Primary in Brooklyn, Western Cape, with approximately 400 Grade R to Grade 3 students, was happy to receive a significant stationery donation this week.  During the last two weeks of November, MySchool arranged drop-off points at schools and businesses in the local community and a whopping 20 boxes of stationery was donated. In addition, MySchool donated 1 000 new books and hundreds of retractable crayons to the school.

Local community members opened their hearts and gave generously – donations included glue, crayons, books, pens, pencils, paint and other much-needed items that the children need on a daily basis.

Thank you to the schools and business partner which acted as drop-off points and a special thank you to our supporters: your donations are making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and teachers alike!

Mrs E Rautenbach, principal of Ysterplaat Junior Primary, had this to say “It is absolutely wonderful to know that there are still people who are prepared to share with those who are not always as fortunate.” Many of the parents struggle to pay the small monthly school fee, some are unemployed, and many learners do not have stationery. As a result they cannot participate in class activities. The generous donations will ensure a “prosperous start to 2009” according to Mrs Rautenbach.

The school takes special care of stationery donations and uses a “loan-system” to ensure stationery does not get lost or misused: the items remain the property of the school and do not leave the premises while being on “loan” for the day to children who don’t have their own stationery.  

Ysterplaat Junior Primary is part of the MySchool fundraising organisation’s Thuso Schools Fund: a group of schools identified  as severely under-resourced and in great need of assistance. Thuso means “to extend a helping hand.” MySchool will launch special needs-based projects similar to the stationery donation drive to assist these schools over the next 18 months.