[PICS] The write stuff to succeed: 1 000 Elsies River matrics get stationery boost ahead of exam season
ASSISTED: Taipei Liaison Office donated stationery to pupils from Elsies River schools
Matric learners received a boost last week when the Taipei Liaison Office donated 1 000 stationery packs to various schools across Elsies River.
The donation drive undertaken by DA member of Parliament and deputy spokesperson for social development, Alexandra Abrahams, handed the packs to laaities from eight schools, as they prepare for their exams.
Abrahams says when reaching out to local schools to see where assistance was needed, many listed stationery as a main concern.
“What many do not realise is that when the children are writing their exams, they are not allowed to share stationery as this could be considered cheating,” she added.
“As they prepare to write their final exams, they are already anxious about passing and needing a pen or pencil adds to the stress.
“The donation means one less worry while they prepare for their final matric examination later this year, as described by one beneficiary.
“I reached out to the Taipei Liaison Office and they were very keen to assist.”
Last week, 1 000 matric learners from St Andrews Secondary, Cravenby Secondary, Elswood Secondary, Elsies River Secondary, Range Secondary, Marian RC Secondary, Arcadia Secondary and Bonteheuwel Secondary schools were present at the Elsies River Civic Centre to receive the donation from the Taipei Director-General, Lily Chen.
Abrahams says families across the Cape Flats are raising their children in incredibly challenging environments.
“The skyrocketing cost of living and unemployment, increasing dependency on social grants, amongst other socio-economic factors, have placed significant financial and emotional pressures on the family unit,” she explained.
“Items such as stationery in many homes have become a luxury: choosing between a pack of highlighters or bread to feed the family.
“The intersection between poverty and crime becomes the perfect recipe for youth to fall into a life of gangsterism if not guided correctly.
“Investing in a child’s education is a means of escaping poverty and gangsterism for many youth living on the Cape Flats.
“During the handover, one boy even told us that this was the first time he’d ever received a pack of highlighters.”