The King’s School in Robin Hills, Johannesburg answered the challenge laid down by St John’s College and Jan Cellier Primary School last year in fine form, and collected approximately R3 million worth of clothing on the 15th March 2011. The clothing was weighed and transported to the Walk Thru the Bible premises in Victory Park with a contingent of capable students assisting with the task of storing the clothes.
The clothing4children movement is gaining momentum in South Africa, with a number of schools answering the call for the needy children in our country to be clothed. The “two fish and five loaves” principle is being applied to the extent that real needs are being met through the participation of schools in South Africa.
Sharing the load
When Schalk Burger laid down the challenge last year, no-one envisioned that the challenge would be met to the extent that is happening. This impetus brings home the reality that, through prayer, the seemingly impossible can be achieved.
Answering the challenge
Martin Deacon, CEO of turnthetide4children, quoted the following statement, “Little is much when given to God,” after hearing that one pupil’s bag weighed over 200kg. The headgirl from King David’s School (Clarissa Snyman), expressed her belief that, “We must not love with words only, but with action and truth,” which resonated strongly with all gathered at the school.
The preschoolers at the school had a great turnout, with 335 bags collected. This was really heartwarming to witness, as the children-despite their size-struggled to heap their bags on the pile outside their classrooms.
Doing their bit for the movement
The message of giving was driven home to all of South Africa, after the children raised their hands in unison, and urged all of South Africa to join the movement as it is, “the responsibility of every single South African to help other communities in need.” (Clarissa Snyman).
Innes Buys, the headboy at The King’s School further reiterated that, “ at heart, everyone has a caring heart, and everyone should use this capacity to bless others”. Martin Deacon summed up the proceedings in these words, “ We should all thank the Lord that we have so much, that we are able to give this away.”
The halls at The King’s School echoed with the euphoria felt, as the children let out their war cry as a challenge to other schools to join the movement, and make a real, discernible difference in the lives of those less fortunate than themselves.
Schalk and Wim Burger are seeing the call answered, and the dream of collecting R100 million worth of clothing, coming to life, and the legacy of clothing4children impacting positively on the lives of so many underprivileged in our country.
To find out more about the clothing4children movement, or to donate your time, resources or funds, please click here.
