Ripples

"Just a bit more feedback from my staff:

-          Everyone spoke about how much they enjoyed it. They were all excited from the beginning and they totally loved getting involved in the project.

-          Some employees were so stunned by other employees pertaining to how the employees carried themselves and the way in which they got involved and responded.

-          The teams developed that special team work connection again

-          Staff that haven’t really spoken to each other in a while, had a chance to speak to each other again and rekindled old colleague-ships.

Thanks again for the positivity and kindness that you have shown us! We truly enjoyed working with you! Please know that you have left us with a positive and a “can-do” attitude. Thank you for reminding us about the smaller and beautiful things in life, and for the impact we can make!

 We value you and your team mate (the sweet lady that joined us – I forgot her name) and we love you guys stax (including the hondjies!)

Furthermore we look forward to working with you again – as it was much enjoyed!

Thanks and regards J

Carla Combrinck"

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with the Ripple for Good. This was not only a fun day but reminded all that was involved that doing something good for others is worth your while.

Three things happen the day we planned to do this.

First the need was there to clean up the school. Not only paint wise but the property was littered with papers and rubbish. I got some of volunteers in town to get involved. Coastal branch manager Patrick, local newspaper Kalahari Bulletin Cindy, her daughter and her assistant came to assist. From the store it was I, Ben Kriek, Corneluis Willemse, Virgil Dowie, Jessie Cloete, Danville Olyn and Andries Coetzee. From a notice in the newspaper we go some volunteers from the police station Me. Anna van Wyk and her team. We had two building to paint and divided into two g groups.

While the teams painted Maria and the kids played some games. One of the games was to see who can get the most rubbish put into bags. She explained to them the importance of keeping the premises clean.

Second Maria added proper irrigation system and water line to the property. This was to make sure that the grass can be maintained for the kids to play on and the garden had water. The vegetable garden was in a bad condition and the ground needed compost. The compost was worked in and seeds were provided to be plant when the season arrived. This will benefit the feeding scheme and empower the young mind to do the same at home.

Thirdly there were soup maid for all the people that was there at the school. Thanks to the weather the soup was welcome, it was rainy and cold.  There was more food left over that the school will use with the feeding scheme.

The kids had a blast and so everybody involved. Now we can empower the ripple to the people to doo something good for someone.

Thank you to Massbuild to make this possible and Maria from Ripples for good, for making a difference in the town of Upington.

 

"As the school psychologist it is my great pleasure to thank everybody involved in re-creating my office.  Instead of a cold and dreary room with old laminated tiles, bare windows and a rusty glass wall, I now have a professional, but warm, cosy room with carpets, blinds and smartly cladded wall.  The “cherry on top” is a mirror, a lovely print and a decorative urn as décor.  I can now proudly receive parents and members of the public in my office.

I would also like to express my gratitude to:

·         Maria Botha from Ripples For Good who initiated the project with such enthusiasm;

·         Builders Warehouse who sponsored everything;

·         Alvina from Builders Warehouse for her time, friendliness and competence;

·         The workers from Builders Warehouse who did a wonderful job with cheerfulness; and

·         All the sponsors who contributed to this project.

Every time I walk into my new office, my spirits lift and I’m reminded that there are still good companies and friendly people out there who care!  Thank you so much for making my workplace a place I now look forward to working in!

Warm Regards

M VAN DEN BERG

HOD:  LO/ADMISSIONS

During the last nine years Ripples for Good founders Liani Broodryk and Maria Botha along with Dante and Katryn, their Jack Russells, have been travelling around the country armed with only the most essential survival items, uplifting struggling communities. Their travels and interactions with these communities has been one of inspiration as they encourage people to change their lives for the better.

Their recent partnership with the Massbuild group has seen schools across our country benefit and have been able to save money on costly maintenance and repairs, and become more sustainable as a result of this collaboration. Together, with volunteering staff also offering their expertise and time, they repair leaking water pipes, taps, toilets, paint and other structural renovations. Some of the learners have also been nominated to join the team, allowing them to learn about caring for and respecting their environment.

The project kicked off on Tuesday 15 May 2012 at Lesedi Primary School in Soshanguve. With a complete selection of the necessary tools and equipment needed to fix the school, the eager team set out on their journey to better the lives of the learners at Lesedi Primary. Collectively, they painted classrooms and restrooms, changed light bulbs and fixed toilets. An extra measure of comfort was added to the grades 1 – 3 classrooms in the form of installing carpets which will be a welcome pleasure in the cold winter months ahead.

At dawn the following day, the team followed by a Builders vehicle filled with equipment, headed out to Steve Tswete School in Olievenhoutbosch, Centurion. The team, un-phased by the heavy police presence as a result of nearby taxi conflicts, began their task of transforming the school. Whilst working in tandem with rhythmic singing. Restrooms were painted, leaking pipes and toilets were mended and a security gate was installed to prevent any further thefts of power cables.

The Ripples for Good team along with their new partners at Massbuild will soon be journeying to the Free State and the Northern Cape to continue their work in improving schools and therefore granting the children of our future the chance to grow and learn in better, more inspiring surroundings.

For more information or to become a part of this inspiring initiative, please visit their websites and social networking platforms at the following addresses: www.ripplesforgood.com and www.facebook.com/bothamaria   www.builders.co.za  and www.facebook.com/buildersfan