School scooter boosts job access

Christmas came early for pupils of Wellington School of Skills last week when their school received its first scooter to help pupils with no transport get to future workplaces.

- ALICIA ENGLISH

The school unveiled the scooter at a recent Thanksgiving dinner in honour of its partners and sponsors. The dinner was prepared by the school's hospitality pupils under the supervision of teachers.

Guests included local role models, home affairs officials who assisted pupils with getting their IDs, and business people who offered them internships.

Former Springbok coach Pieter de Villiers was among the guests at the Thanksgiving dinner. Mr De Villiers emphasised the need to create more opportunities for empowerment for pupils of Wellington School of Skills.

"As a society, we need to shift our focus from competing against each other to working together to create more opportunities for learners with disabilities," he said.

Wellington School of Skills principal Graham Cupido thanked the school's partners and sponsors for their continued support during the year.

He said their support of the school demonstrated to pupils that their lives matter.

"We find that our learners are often frustrated because of their learning disabilities. They are very anxious when they come here.

"Some of them go through life with low self-esteem as a result of their learning disability. There are many cases where not even a school like ours can change that.

"They feel different, and most of the times they don't feel appreciated. Not only at school, but at church, the mosque, among their peers, and on the sports field.

"All they want is for people to value them, recognise their worth, appreciate them for who they are. And to show it through respect, effort and attention.

"You are here because of what you do for our kids," he said.