Groote Schuur's culture of helping goes big

Socially responsible: Groote Schuur residents painted St George's Home for Girls as part of their community outreach project.

The growing tradition at Groote Schuur residence to embark on annual community outreach projects took a giant leap forward this year when students turned up in numbers to spruce up St George's Home for Girls.

Unlike in previous years, students swapped apathy for enthusiasm this year and painted the St George's jungle gym and hosted a braai for the children.

The Wynberg-based children's home accommodates and provides for about 40 abused, abandoned, neglected and orphaned children. Zanele Madadasana, Groote Schuur head student, said the project is one of the residence's most memorable achievements.

"We went bigger this year considering the budget constraints and the amount of work that needed to be done," she said. The "Elephants", as the students in Groote Schuur are affectionately known, spent the whole day at St George's, thanks to a "mysterious donor" who provided all the material needed for the painting job. Fedics Food Services donated all food, drinks and charcoal for the braai.