On Friday 9 August, we were given the opportunity to travel to Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal. Our motivation was to help disadvantaged students at Nyanyadu Primary School by building them a library. We constructed the library using eco-bricks made on Mandela Day. Many members of our community donated books, stationery and uniforms. Furse House made a tremendous donation of new books. Phelps House made a valuable contribution in the form of shelves and paint. The resource monitors created beautiful letters for the shelving of the books.

For some of us there was a language barrier but, with help from Ma Sithebe and Ma Ngobese, communication was made possible. While half of us were teaching the students, the others worked on organising donated books in alphabetical order. Ms Douglas accompanied us to assist with the correct way to set up the library.

We had the assistance of an enthusiastic team of men, led by Mr Northmore, who helped us to mount the shelves. This trip has taught us to appreciate the facilities we are blessed with at St Mary’s. We bonded across forms when we were given different tasks.

A big thank you to Mrs Northmore for organising an amazing and beneficial service trip as well as Mrs Jenny for donating money to finance the transport for the service trip.

Nandi Masinga
Form III