Twelve students of the YSU were visiting Knysna for a few days to see where they could help needy school learners in rural areas such as Rheenendal, Keurhoek and Elandskraal. Throughout the year, the students hold fundraising events in Ohio and then distribute the funds raised to selected schools and organisations.
At a welcoming-party for the students, hosted by Dave and Inx Winde on Sunday evening, May 11, Professor Audrey Ellenwood of YSU and her husband John, said that for the last 10 years or so, they and a number of students of the YSU and the Bowling Green State University, Ohio have been hosting fundraising events abroad to sponsor educational supplies, sporting and playground equipment or money to schools and organisations that the students have selected during their annual visits. These efforts are administered through the non-profit organisation Project Learning Around The World (PLATW), founded by the Ellenwoods.
The Ellenwoods chose to help in Knysna because they own property here and wished to uplift their community. John is also a distant relative of Inx Winde.
During 2010, PLATW managed to sponsor playground equipment and educational supplies to six primary schools and five pre-schools.
In 2011, two tennis tables were donated to the Sedgefield Primary School and playground equipment was handed over to the Geelhoutboom VGK Primary School, George. During 2012/13, 100 stuffed toys, handmade by residents at the Browning Masonic Community Residential Home in Waterville, Ohio were delivered to local preschoolers. (As a token of appreciation, the women at the home received bracelets and a picture of the children with the toys.) The students have also 'adopted' two pre-school learners through the Knysna Education Trust (KET), and are hoping to sponsor two more learners in the near future.
During the function, invited guests, Jeanne-Mari Scholtz, a local martial arts instructor and Jan van Wageningen, manager of Knysna Sport School, presented their pleas for possible funding towards promoting sport among needy children, and the Windes spoke about their hope to resurrect an unused school in Elandskraal and change it into a youth centre.
Twelve graduate students of the Youngstown State University (YSU), Ohio visited Knysna to help learners at poverty-stricken schools in rural areas around Knysna. With them are Inx Winde (left) and John Ellenwood behind her. Professor Audrey Ellenwood is in the middle among the students and Dave Winde on the right.
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