Community Service News

Clothes to Good:

DHS was very excited to partner with the Clothes to Good Project again this year. Last year the project was done with the Grade 11s and, with the huge response this year, the project was run with the entire school. Because of the enormity of the task, Mr Marques and his RCL team were called upon to assist, and they spearheaded the project. The selected RCL members for this project attended a workshop to plan for the project and in doing so learnt many valuable leadership and project running skills. The RCL team really did an outstanding job in promoting the project, packaging each bag and disseminating to all classes. On the day of collection, the RCL as well as many boys in the school assisted in the collection of the bags of clothes as well as the loading of the bags on the truck.

The bags of clothes were collected in April and have made their way to Gauteng to the Clothes to Good Distribution Warehouse where they will be sent for remanufacturing to recycle the textiles. A special Grade Assembly was also held in honour of Earth Day. A selected RCL member from each grade delivered a speech on Earth Day as well as the importance of investing in our planet by recycling.

The project also involved the following:

  • A fully recyclable, green collection bag was provided for each boy in the school and boys had to fill this bag to donate used or unwanted clothes and shoes. They were also required to fill in a Permission-to-Donate form.
  • Each bag donated will earn an H&M 15% discount voucher to be used on any item of choice. The voucher is a reward offered by H&M to encourage recycling of textiles and caring for the environment.
  • Each bag donated will also earn each boy a Spekboom Tree which they can plant at home or donate to the school.
  • Boys were also rewarded with 1 hour of Community Service for every bag donated.

There was an overwhelming support for this project and in the end, DHS managed to donate 210 bags of clothes. It was indeed a great effort by all involved! Well done DHS!

 

Heart-Warming Story:

A heart-warming story that exemplifies the men of character and compassion at Durban High School…

Last year Grade 8 learner, Xantha Whiteley, befriended Aubrey Madlala. Aubrey is in a wheelchair and can often be seen pleading for a helping hand at the traffic light on Spine Road. Aubrey, even in his condition, tries to get money to help support him and his mom.

A few weeks ago, Xantha noticed that Aubrey’s wheelchair was breaking, and he felt the need to help him in getting a new one. Xantha and his mom approached various organizations and then with a bit of luck and persistence, managed to arrange a donation of a wheelchair with Ari Seirlis and Louise Rode from the QuadPara Association of South Africa.

Well done to this fine young man for taking it upon himself and ensuring the well-being of people in our community.

“I could see a massive spark of happiness in his eyes as he saw the wheelchair! The best thing was seeing him happy and able to move around better. The little things in life can have the biggest impacts.”
– Xantha Whitely, Grade 8 pupil of Durban High School

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