The South African Women’s Forte will host a Winter Ball on Saturday to raise much-needed funds to uplift the hospitality department at Golden Steps Special School.
The school, which is situated in Verulam and caters for children from grades R to six with cognitive and/or physical disabilities, was extensively damaged and looted during the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal in July 2021.
Dr Shireen Hariparsad, the school’s acting principal, said during the unrest, their hospitality department - which comprised the kitchen where meals were prepared for the pupils, and the teaching area where lessons were held for between 80 and 100 pupils - were greatly affected. That's when the South African Women’s Forte stepped in to help.
"Once the funds are at school, the school management team and hospitality department will oversee the necessary renovations. Once the renovations are completed, pupils will be able to work at individual workstations.
"Via this fund-raising initiative, we will ensure the pupils not only meet their curriculum needs but acquire the necessary skills which they will be able to utilise to sustain themselves when they leave school," said Claudette Sigamoney, the Executive Vice President of the South African Women’s Forte.
The guest speaker at the Winter Ball, which will be held at the Mount Edgecombe Country Club, will be Noeline Rajbally. She is an entrepreneur and life coach, who leads the Mindfulness Academy to empower young individuals and women.
For more information on the event, call 083 783 6120.