Three Graaff-Reinet schools’ Grade 11 learners, on Monday, learned more about value-added behaviour when Gift of the Givers treated them with gifts and guest speakers warned them on the dangers of associating with the wrong friends.
The function at Spandouw Senior Secondary School was coordinated by Corene Conradie, Eastern Cape coordinate for Gift of the Givers. Spandouw, Asheville and Nqweba secondary schools attended the function.
The function started with the learners singing, Hello You All and There is No Problems When God is With Us.
Conradie told the attendees that education is one of their key projects in uplifting the community.
“Each day we face choices. Wrong and right choices. Don’t try to please your friends by being in the wrong group,” Conradie said.
Councillor Annella Mfundisi said they wanted to encourage the learners.
“You are your own self. Your outer beauty counts, but it’s your inner beauty – your heart – that is the most important. Your inner beauty makes your outer beauty beautiful.
“Before you can be loved and respected, you must learn to love and respect others,” Mfundisi said.
She warned them that wasted time never returns.
The Graaff-Reinet South African Police Services Lieutenant Colonel Moira Abrahams told the learners that there is a life after matric.
“There are several places to study and get work,” she said.
Abrahams said her door is always open and the children must not be scared to come and speak to her about problems and ask for advice.
Matimba Maluleke, social economic transformation officer for SANParks, committed himself to get the organisation to engage with schools.
Gift of the Givers handed out gift parcels, including blankets, body lotion and sweets to the children.