Thirteen volunteers completed the painting of walls in the initial stage of refurbishing the library at St Clements Primary School in Grassy Park, on Saturday August 17.
Nikita Daniels, who had been working for two years as an assistant teacher at the school, spearheaded the initiative, and she said, to have the library revamped, she partnered with Leigh Kolbee, Core Leader with his wife Aidan Kolbee, from Infinity XP, a group at Good Hope Christian church in Ottery.
Mr Kolbee said: “The church itself is involved with multiple schools and charities but this was a first for Infinity XP. Nikita used to be a member of ours but she is now a youth leader at our church which is how we were able to arrange it. We approached multiple organisations but she was the first to respond.”
Ms Daniels said: “One of my dreams was to have the library functional again. I tried last year and asked Carers Unite, a non-profit organisation, that had sourced people to have the walls painted but unfortunately a few weeks later there was a break in. They damaged the roof as they entered the room to steal cables and the loose wiring was a hazard for the kids. The principal (Wayne Lodewyk) had the roof fixed again.”
Mr Lodewyk said they wanted to get their library sorted so that the pupils could use it more constructively. “However, it takes time and money, which we sometimes do not have. Nikita and her crew have offered to help.”
Mr Lodewyk said they are doing the prep work of painting the room. “I managed to get some carpet, which we will put in later. And we are doing the shelves and other things in the fourth term. We are hoping to have something up and running in the new year. Just a place to take our children and allow them the space to read, separate from having to do so in the class.”
Mr Lodeyk said now that the painting was done the school appeals to the community or organisations for shelving and appropriate colourful furniture such as bean bags and sitting mats.
For more information or if you want to help the school call 081 580 2985.
