8 March 2011
Nineteen students and three staff members from Stenden University Qatar will embark on a humanitarian trip to South Africa from March 12 to 25, a spokesperson said.
The students have raised funds to support three projects focused around theeducation of young children in poorer parts of the country.
The first of the three projects, located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, is the establishment of a computer centre for the students of the John Walton School in Uitenhage, where access to ICT facilities is non-existent. The second and third projects are located in Port Alfred, a NEMATO township named after South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela.
In these areas, the students will be working on much-needed repairs to a farm school in Shaw Park and an informal Educare Centre called Masakhane. The students are also collecting stationery supplies to take along and distribute to the schools in Port Alfred.
The students, who are excited, motivated and looking forward to the life-changing experience, will visit Stenden South Africa. Ahead of the trip, the students are hosting a final fundraising event tagged ‘Mama Africa’ party at the university tomorrow. The event is supported and sponsored by Nandos, Coca-Cola, Salam Stores and various individuals including South African ambassador to Qatar Dr Vincent Zulu.
Among the highlights of the event will be African dance, music and face painting. Saima Sabih Bukhari, one of the participating students, said: "I am most looking forward to experiencing the South African culture. It is going to be really exciting to work with the students there and help theschools in the small way that we can."
Interested contributors can visit the university building in Bin Omran, next to the Castle Compound.