Grade 7 pupils at the Redhill School in Morningside, Sandton, are learning about community outreach early in their lives.
As part of their learnership they are assisting underprivileged schools by planting trees and vegetables. The pupils from the school planted trees donated by the Hyde Park Office of Pam Golding Properties during a ceremony at the Maloney’s Eye Primary School in Magaliesberg.
Real estate agent Roger Govender of Pam Golding Properties (PGP) Morningside says the Maloney’s Eye Primary School, which caters for Grade R to Grade 7 leaners from the local informal settlement, would benefit from the greening project. PGP donated 30 trees that were planted around the school by the learners of Redhill and Maloney’s Eye Primary School.
Govender says the staff from PGP and both schools who attended the ceremony assisted with the planting of the trees, which will provide shade and improve the aesthetics of the school. “It was a very moving occasion for Pam Golding Properties staff members and we are glad to have been involved.”
Nirvana Rogers, marketing officer at Redhill School, says that the Grade 7 tree planting programme was started two years ago and has been made possible by PGP which has donated trees. Maloney’s Eye Primary School was selected as the first beneficiary of the initiative as their sports field was bare and the children didn't have a place to sit under during their breaks. “We thought by planting trees around their sports field and school that it will create a greener and more pleasant learning environment,”says Rogers.
Last year the Redhill Grade 7 learners planted 20 trees around the sports field but more were needed so it was decided to plant a few each year. A vegetable garden that assists in feeding the learners of Maloney’s Eye Primary School was also created.
Govender says that PGP has always been a community orientated business and is keen to participate and assist in the areas in which it operates.“PGP will continue to assist Redhill School every year with this most worthwhile project which greens our communities and encourages our learners to work together."