Pay it forward

By: Bev Erickson (guest blogger)

“One person can’t change the world, but you can change the world for one person”. Yes , I know it sounds like a cliché, but if you had attended the presentations that I attended last week, you would know why I’m quoting it.

For the past six years, the second year National Diploma Human Resource Management students embark on an outreach project which they call “Pay it Forward”. Initiated by their passionate lecturer, Bridget de Villiers, this project encourages students to form groups and to go out into the community to look for a need which they can assist with. This year was the fourth time that I have attended the presentations by the student groups and once again, I was blown away by the sense of ubuntu that our students have.

“Our world is very good at generating wealth, but not very good at sharing it” were the words of the Dean, Prof Niekie Dorfling who addressed the students before their presentations. “Use this project as a laboratory to practice what you are being taught” he advised.

The six groups who were chosen to present their projects shared their stories of getting stuck in to helping their various charities and the incredible personal journeys they all took.

The Luthanda Luvuyo Special School was on the receiving end of assistance from one of the groups, with students making the children “feel valued” and in turn, learning skills from the children. Another beneficiary of this project was the Soqaqamba Educare Centre, a crèche for impoverished children. The group who took on this needy organisation were unable to achieve their goal of finding sponsors for mattresses, blankets and toys for the children, so they buckled down and planted a veggie garden for them so that they can reap the benefits of food in the future.

The Ubomi Obutsha Centre – a community ministry centre – saw students running a soup kitchen, paying home visits to the elderly, and assisting with the Centre’s homework club. The students have also committed themselves to ongoing support of this organisation. Go students!

“We wanted to do something different!” said one group who took on the Carehaven Home for people living with psychiatric illnesses. “We were a little apprehensive at first, but gained so much from the experience” they said. They helped with cooking, cleaning and laundry. They played games with the residents and had a lot of fun whilst doing good for others.

One of the groups decided that one charity was not enough, so they helped out at two! Astra Primary School – where they encouraged learners to steer away from gangsterism (a real problem in the area) and introduced the sport of basketball to them, taking the role of leaders. At their other project, Cheshire Homes in Cleary Park, they assisted with basic things like cleaning and cooking, taking the role of servants. So many lessons learnt for these young people!

The most emotionally touching project was by the group that took on the Thamsanqa Cluster Home. This home is an orphanage for abused children and the students assisted with feeding, cleaning, helping the youngsters with homework and playing games. These children have only the most basic of food – a lunch for instance, which consists of bread and butter. To bring some happiness, on one particular day, the students baked muffins so that the children could have a treat! Listening to this group share what each member gained from their experience required a tissue which I didn’t have! Next time I’ll be more prepared.

Hats off to the Department of Human Resources Management staff and the incredible second year students.  You rock!!!

 (Left to right) Amanda, Nombuso, Anele, Lorna and Zezethu definitely live the value of ubuntu!