Bishops pupils, from left, Joshua MacDonald, Luke Carter, Pablo Slaven and Deen Fortune with former Springbok rugby captain Jean de Villiers, third from left, and Vuka Nomtobhoyi Orphanage and Educare Centre representative Odwa Futshane.
Four Bishops Grade 9 pupils, helped by former Springbok rugby captain Jean de Villiers, have raised R400 000 for a Langa orphanage.
The money was raised during a charity auction in Claremont on Tuesday November 29. Luke Carter, Josh MacDonald, Pablo Slaven and Deen Fortune are working with Joerg Caluori, who runs Township Help, a non-profit organisation, to build a new home for about 40 abandoned children aged 2 to 16 at the Vuka Nomtobhoyi Orphanage and Educare Centre, which is run by Patricia Futshane from a dilapidated house.
“Our main focus is the long-term sustainability of this centre,” said Luke.
Mr De Villiers was the auctioneer who oversaw bids for a range of donated lots, including holiday packages, a Carla Bosch painting and a painting done by the children of Vuka Nomtobhoyi
“I would like to congratulate these outstanding young men who did not take ‘no’ for an answer and who 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 needy children in the area,” said Mr De Villiers.
Bishops principal Tony Reeler said: “Luke and his peers worked tirelessly to ensure a better life for the children of Vuka Nomtobhoyi, and the boys have also arranged monthly food parcels and will go to Langa weekly to read stories to the children.”
Luke added: “The project now, is something much deeper that personally connects with each one of us.”
Ms Futshane’s son, Odwa Futshane, said he had been left speechless by the donors’ generous support. “I am very hopeful for the future of the orphanage; we will be fine and we will build on.”