South Africa

Johannesburg-based Aspen Pharmacare devoted its caring actions to improving the educational infrastructure and needs of the pupils of Blair Atholl Primary School in Lanseria over a four-day period.

The school has a proud history since it was founded 30 years ago and accommodates 738 primary school learners.

Unemployment in the area is high and most of the children come from the surrounding informal settlements, plots and farms. With a poverty index that hovers around 80%, parents are unable to pay school fees. While the government provides limited funding, it is inadequate to meet the school’s pressing needs.

Aspen equipped the Ripple Reading Centre and classrooms with educational aids and stationery and established a new vegetable garden and front entrance area. The tuckshop container and the kitchen that feeds the children 2 meals a day was upgraded and Aspen assisted in ensuring that the school is Safety, Health and Environment compliant. Recycle bins were donated and 76 broken glass panes were replaced. 10 Classrooms were repainted. 200 holes were dugs and 200 lemon trees planted along the fence parameters to deter thieves from entering the school premises.

The spirit of Nelson Mandela was celebrated with great joy by the staff and learners when Aspen handed over their financial contributions and other resources to upgrade the school facilities and its grounds.