Last night, four Grade 9 Bishops learners, with the help of Citadel, raised R400,000 to go towards the construction of a new building for the Vuka Nomtobhoyi Orphanage and Educare Centre in Langa Township, Cape Town.
This forms part of the Bishops’ Big Ideas programme which encourages learners to focus on tangible ways to help address some of South Africa’s biggest socio-economic issues in line with the sustainability objectives of the United Nations.
“When we started, we had no idea how passionate we would become about this project. We have been to the orphanage and played with the kids many times and we are very close to being able to start construction,” says Luke Carter, 15. The team is in discussions with Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to rent the land from the City of Cape Town.
“I would like to congratulate these outstanding young men who did not take ‘no’ for an answer and are doing everything in their power to ensure that the orphanage gets a permanent home, as well as the equipment it needs to continue supporting the many children in the area,” said Jean de Villiers, Head of Philanthropy at Citadel. De Villiers made a comical auctioneer who successfully auctioned off each of the 11 unique auction items for a fine price.
