On Monday, 23 November 2015, we visited the Okkie Smuts Primary School in Stanford. Upon our arrival we were greeted by the sound of laughter and excited facial expressions.

The principal, Mr Koekemoer contacted the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) to inform us that the children had raised some money and as part of their social responsibility they would like to donate the money to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary (APSS). This fundraising was run by Mrs Marna Beets, a grade 1, 2 & 3 English educator.

The Okkie Smuts penguin initiative was a month-long project which included and beautiful, creative art work by the grade 1-3 pupils, from paintings, a mosaic artwork by the grade 2 class and penguin models built from recycled materials. Each and every student and teacher contributed to the fundraising and even during their exams they had a casual day to contribute to the money already raised. Each learner had to fill up a penguin bottle, worth R10.00, in exchange for a penguin bookmark. A few learners filled up as much of 15 bottles.  The school raised the total amount of R3300.00, a donation towards our educational efforts to raise awareness and educate the young and youthful generation about the importance of protecting our marine species.

We have a tiered system of support based on level of sponsorship. All sponsors are displayed on the entrance walls at APSS. Donors can support this facility by sponsoring a building brick for R1000 per brick – these bricks are also displayed and can have a name/logo.

The school will receive three bricks on our donation walls.  The DICT and APSS teams would like to thank the “little school with a big heart” for their contribution towards our conservation efforts. We are definitely looking forward for them to visit us.

Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities by visiting the APSS support page at http://africanpenguin.org/support/sponsorship/

Anwynn Louw

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