A local kindergarten is set to benefit from the donations received by a recently launched project to collect rechargeable light sources for those left without light during loadshedding.
This is according to Torrin Theron-Visser, a Stellenbosch local and the owner of Torrin Theron Biokineticist, who organised the collection of rechargeable headlamps and torches.
The torches and headlamps will be donated to Kabouterland Educare in Groendal, Franschhoek, at the end of July, said Theron-Visser via email correspondence with MatieMedia. “They [the school] depend on community funding and do not have a generator,” she stated.
Stellenbosch local Torrin Theron-Visser’s light donation box is located at Valerida Centre on Piet Retief Street, Stellenbosch. “The community is welcome to drop off lights, even after the end of the month,” said Theron-Visser, the owner of Torrin Theron Biokineticist, who is collecting rechargeable light sources to help those without light during loadshedding. PHOTO: Andrea de Lilly
Sharing light with those in need
The project was started on 18 July, which is annually celebrated as Mandela Day, said Theron-Visser.
Thus far, 38 rechargeable LED lamps and batteries, as well as a battery charging unit, have been collected, she stated.
“The community is welcome to drop off lights, even after the end of the month [July],” said Theron-Visser.
A total of 56 children attend Kabouterland Educare and the majority are from disadvantaged families, said Leonora Sullivan, the manager at Kabouterland Educare, who spoke to MatieMedia via WhatsApp correspondence.
“We can’t heat the classrooms and some of our children do not have warm clothes, so we need to wrap them in blankets to stay warm,” said Sullivan.
“It is dark when the children come to school in the morning and many walk, so a headlight will help in the dark winter mornings,” said Leonora Sullivan, the manager at Kabouterland Educare in Franschhoek. Rechargeable light sources collected through Torrin Theron-Visser’s project, will be donated to Kabouterland Educare. The lights will also help at night when the students need to do homework, added Sullivan. PHOTO: Andrea de Lilly
It is dark in the morning when the children come to school, she said, adding that a headlight will help in the dark winter mornings.
“That single headlight that is being provided will make a difference that is incomprehensible,” said Sullivan.
‘What can they do, but sit in the dark?’
The idea of collecting torches and headlamps came to Theron-Visser a week before Mandela Day, she explained. “Two of my lights in the practice went out and another one was flickering,” she said. The building has a generator, so she and her employees do not notice when there is loadshedding, she stated.
That flickering light served as a reminder about those who do not have any light source when the power goes out, said Theron-Visser. “What can they do, but sit in the dark?” she asked.
Pictured above are Torrin Theron-Visser and Kimberly Smith, biokinetics at Torrin Theron Biokineticist. “Our aim is to […] create some awareness. Even if we can only help a few people/children with some extra light to complete tasks, that is better than none,” said Torrin Theron-Visser, the organiser of a recently launched light collection project, via email correspondence with MatieMedia. PHOTO: Supplied/Torrin Theron-Visser
‘Every little bit counts’
“It is unfortunately the case that the poorest of the poor suffer the most due to loadshedding,” said Dr Johann Strauss, a lecturer in electrical energy systems at Stellenbosch University.
Alternative energy sources are still quite expensive, he said, adding that it is essential for disadvantaged communities to have light during the dark and to be able to cook.
“We need to try to help each other,” said Theron-Visser. “Every little bit counts.”