Hundreds of stationery collected Grade 7 pupil, Hannah Vanacore, 12, third from left, collected hundreds of stationery items. From left are, her grandmother, Anthea Kerchhoff, mother Lynn Vanacore, Norma Road Primary principal, Abdul-Aleem Sparks, grandfather Henry Kerchhoff, and father, Taahir Vanacore.
Image: Hazel Allies-Husselman
A 12-year-old girl from Belthorn Estate, who started a stationery drive, collected hundreds of items in just over a month.
Hannah Vanacore, a Grade 7 pupil at Groote Schuur Primary School, handed over 304 pencils, 242 pens, 219 erasers, 189 sharpeners, 110 rulers, as well as 36 packs of crayons, 31 packs of colour pencils, 13 glue sticks and 20 books, a pair of school shoes and two packs of paint to Norma Road Primary School, on Wednesday February 26.
Principal Abdul-Aleem Sparks expressed his gratitude for the donation, saying that there is a big need for stationery at his school.
“Many of our parents cannot even afford to pay the school fees. Most times our teachers gather stationery for the learners. I think what has happened today is an amazing thing. I am extremely grateful for what has happened here today and humbled by Hannah, who volunteered, and chose Norma Road to be the recipient of this act of kindness.
We are so grateful for the generosity. This will make a major impact in the lives of our children who might feel that there is nobody out there to support them. I know it will bring a massive smile on their faces,” Mr Sparks said.
Hannah is a member of her school’s wellness club and has been involved with outreach initiatives for four years. This, she said, inspired her to start her own initiative.
“There are so many learners who need stationery for their academic journey. I chose Norma Road Primary, as it is dear to our family. My grandpa, Henry “Ginger” Kerchhoff, attended school here in the 1960s,” Hannah said.
She also expressed her gratitude to her family, friends and members of her church, who donated towards this initiative.
“I am so grateful. I want to thank all those who contributed to my drive and Norma Road Primary, for allowing me to donate the blessings I received in support of my drive.”
Her mother, Lynn Vanacore said her daughter cares so much for the environment, people and animals.
“We adopted three rescue kittens, a dog, birds, and even fish. Hannah is passionate about the welfare of animals. She has been watching National Geographic since she was a toddler and is always coming up with ideas of how she can be of assistance. The stationery drive is just a natural progression for her, so it was no surprise to me when she told me she would like to do this. She and her sister are already planning their next initiative, and that is to collect teddy bears for abused children,” Ms Vanacore said.
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