Varsity College gives volunteers lesson in love

[caption id="attachment_71517" align="alignright" width="300"] CARING COLLEGE: Varsity College principal Paul Manson, left, and A'neil Philander presented study bursaries to Heatherbank principal Ellen Lovemore and Love Story member Klass Lupuwana last week at Greenacres -[/caption]

A PORT Elizabeth college gave two Bay charity volunteers the chance to go back to the classroom last week when it presented study bursaries to Heatherbank Primary School and Love Story at its NGO Open Day.

Varsity College principal Paul Manson handed over vouchers for a short course of study to representatives from the two organisations, who were thrilled with the donation. “They have given us a short business course, part-time, that would normally cost about R8 500 if you had to pay for it,” Heatherbank principal Ellen Lovemore said.

She said the primary school, which started in 2013 with 34 children from Walmer Township, and this year added a Grade 2 class to bring its numbers to 85 pupils, had six teaching staff. “So I will offer it to one of my teachers”.

In association with the Masixhasane Literacy Project, Varsity College’s corporate social initiative last year was to supply the school with a mobile library unit and media centre.

Love Story founder Elaine Watson said the organisation was “so chuffed” with the offer of a bursary, and were discussing how best to use it.

The non-profit organisation operates in and around Port Elizabeth in a variety of projects that include soup kitchens, creche support, clothing and toy distribution, hospital handouts and more.

Watson said the bursary would go to a member of staff . “They are like family members to us.”

Altogether, 13 Nelson Mandela Bay NGOs took part in the open day, including the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Revive, Autism Eastern Cape, Wings and Wishes, SA National Blood Services and Animal Welfare.

-Gillian McAinsh