Top Billing got an exclusive invite to Orchid10's charity ball at the Table Bay Hotel, where their main aim was to mobilise resources and new equipment for Sigangeni Junior Secondary School.
Itumeleng Pooe of Orchid10, explains: “Our dream is for every South African to experience the true meaning of freedom and democracy and for every child, including those of Sigangeni, to have access to quality education. We believe that through this education, they will tap into a sense of personal pride, dignity and the ability to contribute towards their own and their community’s material and social well-being and development.”
More about Orchid10: Orchid10 was founded in February 2010 when a group of friends, tired of the recession and wanting to make a difference, decided to start a savings club. What began as a simple plan to up their personal savings and together contribute towards a worthy cause, led to the establishment of a non-profit organisation, Keep the Dream, with a fully-fledged strategy and business plan to run Project Sigangeni. The women bring together different fields of expertise including corporate, government, small business, higher education and social entrepreneurship.
Sigangeni Junior Secondary School is a 600-learner rural school built with mud bricks by local villagers in 1986 in a desperate attempt to provide education for their community’s children. Over the years weather conditions and simple neglect took its toll with classroom floors disintegrating, the building structure suffering and windows breaking. Learners often have to sit, cramped, in broken desks or on the floor. Yet, despite these conditions, the school’s choir manages to excel and continues to win competitions in the area.
Touched by the plight of the school and Cofimvaba community, Orchid10 held a first fundraising event in September last year, raising more than R60 000 plus further pledges. They visited the school soon thereafter and met with community role-players and the Department of Education of the Eastern Cape. Boxer Build at Ngcobo donated lap desks and Pick n Pay committed to restoring the school structure. Other partners contributing generously to the project include Africa Fashion International, Chevron, Pep Stores Limited and Engen.
