The Girls’ College is proud to announce the recipients of Community Engagement Awards for Term 1, 2021. The awards were presented to students in person – the first time this has been possible in over a year – on Wednesday, 24 March.

Congratulations to these recipients for their service to the community – most commendable during the pandemic, when many of our traditional service activities have not been possible.

Half Colours

Colours

Honours

Honours Citations

Isabella Andrighetto

Isabella is an authentic student who seeks to go about community service with the correct motivation. For Isabella it is about doing work to engage and not just to get a signature on a piece of paper. In her own words: “Community Engagement service is one of the few things in my life that I do, not to seek approval for, but because I can see the impact I make. In doing this service with people, I use my ability to read a room and make a connection with a stranger. We are all interconnected.”

Isabella is passionate about issues of food insecurity and nutrition. She has risen to the challenge of partnering with NGOs that address this need. These are: Rays of Hope, Nosh Food Rescue COOL2SERVE. She has made sandwiches, meals, hot dogs, baked and iced cupcake and  made banana loaves.

Another concern for Isabella is the environment. She has partnered with Lovemore and Eco-bricks in addressing sustainable solutions to environmental problems.

Three other initiatives that Isabella embraced are A Few Grey Hairs, Read4Hope and the Thandulwazi Centre for Maths and Science. Isabella served in making keychains for those donating hair for wigs, creating digital recordings of children’s books and assisting with tutoring. Her concern for the vulnerable and those needing educational development are witnessed in this work.

Isabella has achieved 305 community service hours and is commended as a worthy recipient of the Honours Award in Community Engagement.

Remofilwe Morwe

Remofilwe is a vibrant student who is committed to working with seniors, babies, children and especially feels passionate about providing support to those with health challenges. In her own words “My passion for community service began in a Grade 8 religious education outing to Garden Village Retirement Home. I was assigned to visit a lovely elderly man with so many captivating stories about his life. I cleaned his room, fed him and chatted the entire visit. This led to many partnership moments and I have become a disciplined, hard working team player and leader.”

Remofilwe has taken up the challenge to address needs of various partnerships focussed on health and well-being. These are the Ronald McDonald Home Charity, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and CHOC.

She has cleaned, packed books, worked in reception, prepared meals, baked muffins and biscuits, done housekeeping, kitchen duty, cleaned toilets, and fed children and adults.

Another area of concern for Remofilwe is the well-being of babies. She has served with Ethembeni Salvation Army Home for babies. All the time spent bathing babies, feeding, changing nappies, feeding and cuddling was done with joy in the privilege of serving.

Remofilwe also partnered with JAM and Santa Shoebox by uplifting those who are under-resourced. Issues of vulnerability and poverty are a particular concern for Remofilwe and she wants to see people having the necessary resources for living well.

Remofilwe has achieved 325 hours of community service and is commended as a worthy recipient of the Honours Award in Community Engagement.

Vartika Pillay

Vartika is a dedicated student who loves giving to the community. In her own words, “I find it extremely important to do community service work because we have the power to change the future of our developing country. Through my service, I have helped the public library, the crucial place for education and learning; built a classroom, which will serve as the learning foundation for many generations to come; and I have assisted in temples, a place where one can find meaning and hope.”

Vartika has taken up the challenge of being part of the solution to address needs with various partnerships focused on child and educational development. These are the Baby Home in Durban North, Thandulwazi Centre for Maths and Science, Marie Day Care, Shree Sita Basic School in Nepal, the Durban Child and Youth Centre, and Nirvana Hills Library.

She has taught classes, played with children, created art and craft packs, labelled and shelved books, and sorted puzzles.

Vartika’s concern also reaches to rehabilitating and re-integrating children with street connections back into society. Her work with Kids Haven demonstrates her high regard for humanity.

Another area of passion for Vartika is food security and nutrition. She partners with Nosh Food Rescue, The Angel Network, Morningside Can, and One Small Act of Kindness. She has made copious soup packets, sandwiches, biscuits, and meals.

Seniors have also benefitted from Vartika’s service and care as she partnered with PAFTA Association for the Aged.

Vartika is our very own Head of Service and she has achieved 365 community service hours. She is commended as a worthy recipient of the Honours Award in Community Engagement.

Ashton van Heerden

Ashton is a sincere student who has always placed great emphasis on giving back to the community. In her own words, “I believe community service is the conscious contribution that a person makes in order to create a positive impact in the lives of others. I am extremely compassionate and this enables me to create relationships with the people and the organisations through which I serve.”

Ashton has acted on her concerns for a number of social issues. With a focus on improving the care for and development of children and youth, Ashton worked with Kids Haven, Rays of Hope,  Thandulwazi Centre for Maths and Science, the Teddy Bear Foundation, Community SA, Kyalami Can and Kingsway Primary School.

She has wrapped presents, created miniature wooden race tracks, arts and craft development packs, meals, and blankets.

Another focus for Ashton has been the well-being of babies. She partnered with Botshabelo Baby Centre where she cared for babies, played with toddlers and assisted with household chores.

By also coming alongside Ark Animal Shelter and Summerfield Retirement Village, Ashton was able to demonstrate her concern for the health and well-being of animals and the elderly respectively.

Ashton has achieved 348 community service hours and is commended as a worthy recipient of the Honours Award in Community Engagement.