The King's School proves overwhelming commitment to drive positive change in SA
 

The learners of The King's School in Robin Hills, Randburg have set an enviable example to all schools in South Africa by collecting an astonishing 15.7 tons of clothing in a recent Clothing 4 Children (C4C) drive. The C4C initiative, started by Schalk (17), from St John's College, and Wim (12) Burger, from Jan Celliers Primary, aims to motivate as many schools across South Africa to open their hearts, and closets, and donate as many items of clothing as possible to disadvantaged communities.

"The response from The King's School was phenomenal to say the least. Each learner was provided with seven C4C bags to fill with clothing, shoes, toiletries and blankets and bring the items to school on Tuesday, 15 March. As the bags started to pile up, we realised that The King's School took thechallenge to heart and completely internalised what C4C is all about," explains Wim.

The school's 742 learners managed to collect a total of 2 118 bags of clothing weighing in at 15.7 tons, a record figure since the C4C initiative launched late last year at St. Johns and Jan Celliers Primary. Three learners in particular exceeded all expectations by donating an exceptional amount of items:

• Claire Williams donated 20 bags weighing in at 220kg;
• Simone Beukes donated 20 bags weighing in at 207.2kg;
• Michael Poortier donated 17 bags weighing in at 157.9kg.

"The C4C initiative personifies what The King's School is all about, and provided the learners with the opportunity to action their belief of making a difference in the lives of those around them.  We are extremely proud of each and every learner and their overwhelming commitment to drive positive change in South Africa. I don't think that one can even begin to imagine how many lives have been impacted through their actions," says Mrs Jenni Joubert, Principal of The King's School. 

Next on the C4C agenda is Waterkloof High School in Erasmuskloof, Pretoria and its learners are determined to break The King's School record. Delivery day is scheduled for 22 March, 2011.

"From humble beginnings, C4C has now spiralled into a full blown CSI initiative and we're determined to assist 13.5 million disadvantaged individuals throughout South Africa.  It's inspiring to bear witness to what the youth is capable of when acting collectively, and if The King's School is anything to go by, our 13.5 million mark might not be that far into the future as we initially thought," Schalk concludes.

For more information on C4C, how you can get involved and its progress to date, visit www.clothing4children.org.