These were the words of the elated headmaster of Sophakama Playschool, Eunice Grootbooi, when Conrad Pezula's general manager, Gert Venter officially handed over the revamped school and playground on Friday, 24 October. Conrad Pezula has adopted Sophakama Playschool to uplift it as part of Global Week of Service, Hilton Worldwide's largest annual volunteer service initiative.
The Global Week of Service started on Monday, October 20.
Jessica le Roux, personal assistant to Venter and spokesperson for Conrad Pezula, said the had contacted the Knysna Education Trust (KET) for advice on which school could most nenefit from Conrad Pezula's investment.
KET director Nicky Goodall showed Conrad Pezula representatives the playschool, which was at that time the most needy school out of the 36 preschools identified by KET.
Starting on Monday, October 20, Conrad Pezula staff members painted the play school, built a whole new playground with equipment and installed an outside flush toilet.
They also handed over food items which have been donated by team members as well as outside supporters.
The Sophakama Playschool tends to the needs of 22 children every day.
Grootbooi said she had noticed the dire need for a preschool in the community and then, three years ago, started building the wooden structure to house the school. Sophakama means to rise up, and Conrad Pezula made sure that Grootbooi's dream rose to higher levels.
Goodall thanked Venter and the Conrad Pezula team for their initiative.
"We struggle to get donations to help the schools in need and this effort surely made a big difference." People or organisations who want to contribute financially to the Knysna Education Fund or who want to take on projects like Conrad Pezula did, can phone Goodall at 044 382 4638.
The Conrad Pezula team, representatives of the Knysna Education Trust, Sophakama Playschool staff and some of the children were at the official handing over of the revamped preschool.
ARTICLE AND PHOTO: CHRISTO VERMAAK, KNYSNA PLETT-HERALD JOURNALIST
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