New training room for special needs pupils

Siphokazi Mhlobo-Damana, the founder of the independent organisation Queendom and a constant developer of youth, has once again assisted Fundile Special School in Sweetwaters, King William’s Town. She assisted them in constructing a room in which they will teach students manual skills such as baking, cooking, drawing, and sewing.

Mhlobo-Damana works for the Mariswe engineering firm, which assisted with the school’s room. When she went to donate cosmetics to the school, this woman, who is also an associate of ‘Nurture A Girl’ under Mariswe, saw the condition of the school.

“As someone who frequently visits schools in the King William’s Town area to distribute cosmetics to students, I don’t stop there; I also look at some of the needs that are lacking here at the school.

“That’s when I go to ask for assistance. I returned to Fundile and they explained their needs, stating that they do not have a place to train students and that they do not have a room or machinery to work with.

“Mariswe, as it has engineers, went to inspect, then built this R40 000 wooden room called a Wendy House, which will be used to develop the students’ skills,” Mhlobo-Damana explained.

She also gave cosmetics that will last ten Fundile students three months.

Mam’ Momo, the principal of Fundile who collaborated with Mhlobo-Damana at this school, said that they sincerely thank the company Mariswe for listening when Siphokazi complained to them about the Fundile problem.

“This is not Mhlobo’s first time assisting our school; she frequently brings sanitary pads and cosmetics to our ten female students.

“Now she’s brought a room, which is such a big deal that we can’t stop talking about it! This gift comes at a time when we have gone deeper into skills training for our students with special needs, where there is a shortage of space for these skills,” Momo said.

Momo also asked businesspeople to assist them with equipment.

Sweetwaters resident Asanda Tancu and his three hired workers assisted for free in installing electricity in this Wendy House room. Tancu noted that he gave his heart because he is in the position he is in because of the people of Sweetwaters’ support and upbringing.

“We are nothing without the residents. I heard that something was happening on at a Sweetwaters school that was being done by a resident, so we decided to assist her with this fantastic idea of hers,” Tancu remarked.