Keeping Our Children Safe
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
Malcolm X
During March, South Africa focuses on human rights and celebrates our freedom and newly found inclusive access to important services such as quality education. Yet, 27 years into our democracy, we are still a long way from providing equal access to education to all our youths. While the fortunate pupils in posh private schools speedily navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic and adapted to the “new normal”, their less privileged counterparts are not having as smooth a ride. Many schools, particularly those outside the large metro areas, experience great shortage of basic PPE for students and teachers, presenting them with a tough choice. They can continue learning in an unsafe environment, exposing themselves and their families to enormous health risks, or they can stay at home at the expense of their education.
AYO steps in to change that.
On Friday, 12 March 2021, AYO donated over 500 infrared thermometers and more than 30,000 face masks to 15 public schools in the East London area. Aiming to create a safe, uninterrupted learning experience at this crucial time when pupils are preparing for their first term exams, after what was probably the most disrupted year in their lives, AYO emphasised its focus on education for the future of South Africa. Speaking at the event, Xolo Motswasele, AYO’s Group Executive: Business Development, AYO eloquently articulated the company’s stance: “This gift is not just a gift, it is a gift to save a life, a gift to enable the continuation of education for a child”.
Gavin Appollis, principal of Alphendale Secondary School in East London (which graciously hosted the hand-over) expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the donation: “We are so very thankful to AYO for reaching out to our school in the Eastern Cape, with this generous donation, we will be better equipped to keep our children safe in times like these.”
The 15 public schools that received PPE donations were:
- A.W. Barnes Primary School
- Alphendale High School
- Aspiranza Primary School
- Crewe Primary School
- East London High School
- Ebenezer Majombozi High School
- George Randell Primary School
- Gonubie Primary School
- Greenpoint Secondary School
- Inyathi Primary School
- Lumko High School
- New Generations Primary School
- President Primary School
- Southernwood Primary School
- St John’s Road Primary School