South Africa

More than 200 members of Aspen's Johannesburg-based team rolled up their sleeves to make a difference for the 940 students at the Pholosho Secondary School in Alexandra. Improvements to the school included refurbishing the library, establishing a vegetable garden and park area, providing equipment for the science laboratory, conducting repairs to the entrance and painting the palisade fence.

The activities took place over 3 days and culminated in an address by Former South African President Kgalema Mothlanthe, also a former scholar of Pholosho, who said, "Today as we honour our national icon Nelson Mandela, we are reminded that Madiba was opposed to donations, as they create dependency. It is for this reason we wish to commend the Pholosho school management, you the pupils and Aspen because you are working together in a partnership and will continue to do so in order to create an environment conducive to a sustainable learning experience."