Humanitarian organization Gift of the Givers says it has now spent R40 million on school infrastructure upgrades since the deadly KwaZulu-Natal floods in April last year.
The province was hit by torrential rains that caused destruction and more than 400 deaths.
Several buildings, schools and infrastructure were damaged when a mosque collapsed in Morningside, Durban, during floods.
Flood damage
A gift from the founder of Givers Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman The Warga NGOs have remained busy repairing the damage caused by the floods.
“KZN April flood upgrades are underway with our teams repairing floors, roofs, ceilings, windows, doors, toilets, classrooms, all buildings, rainwater drains, boundary walls, electricity and water networks.
“Many schools are in a bad state, not because of the floods, but because of the failure of maintenance over the years,” Sooliman said.
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School handover
On Tuesday, the Gift of the Givers also held a handover ceremony at Umbilo Port Natal School.
“This is a very unique intervention where the principal and management agreed to convert a 90-year-old Afrikaans secondary school into a dual medium institution following the Gift of the Givers upgrade of the facility. The construction team had to follow the guidelines of the KwaZulu-Natal Amafa Institute because the school as a heritage site.
The organization also handed over Tyburn Primary School in Chatsworth and Mason Lincoln Special School in Umlazi on Monday, and Insizwakazi Primary School in Pinetown on Tuesday.
modern facilities
Sooliman expressed the need for adequate learning institutions.
“Our children definitely need improved and modernized facilities to match the commitment, compassion and care of highly dedicated teachers who are parents and educators of children from backgrounds with many social problems.
“The upgraded school is a symbol of hope that encourages a positive mindset in students, educators and parents, becoming a motivation for better results. Funding for national upgrades will certainly be welcomed,” added Sooliman.
Upgrade program
Sooliman said the Gift of the Givers infrastructure upgrade program includes drilling boreholes, distribution of school furniture, uniforms, stationery, providing counseling services and bulk feeding.
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