Humanitarian organization Gift of the Givers said it has so far spent R40 million on infrastructure upgrades of schools since the deadly KwaZulu-Natal floods in April last year.
The province was battered by the heavy downpours which left a trail of destruction and over 400 people dead.
Several buildings, schools, and infrastructure were damaged while a mosque collapsed in Morningside, Durban, during the floods.
Flood damages
Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman told the publication the NGO has been kept busy repairing damage caused by the floods.
“The KZN April floods upgrades has been ongoing with our teams repairing floors, roofs, ceilings, windows, doors, toilets, classrooms, entire buildings, stormwater drains, boundary walls, electrical and water networks.
“Many schools were in a bad state of repair, unrelated to the floods, but due to failure of maintenance over the years,” Sooliman said.
School handover
On Tuesday, Gift of the Givers also held a handover ceremony at the Port Natal School in Umbilo.
“This is a very unique intervention where the principal and management agreed to convert the 90-year-old purely Afrikaans medium school into a dual medium institution following Gift of the Givers’ upgrade of the facility. The construction team had to follow KwaZulu-Natal Amafa Institute guidelines as the school is a heritage site.”
The organization also handed over Tyburn Primary School in Chatsworth and Mason Lincoln Special School in Umlazi on Monday, and Insizwakazi Primary School in Pinetown, on Tuesday.
Modern facilities
Sooliman said there is a need for adequate learning institutions.
“Our children certainly require upgraded and modernized facilities to match the commitment, compassion, and care of highly dedicated teachers who are both parents and educators to children who come from backgrounds with a myriad of social issues.
“Upgraded schools are a symbol of hope that encourages a positive mindset in learners, educators, and parents, serving as a motivation for substantially improved outcomes. Funding for upgrades nationally will certainly be welcomed,” Sooliman added.
Upgrade programme
Sooliman said Gift of the Givers’ infrastructure upgrade programme includes the drilling of boreholes, distribution of school furniture, uniforms, stationery, providing counselling services and bulk feeding.
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