ACS-Embrace has adopted the Ikhwezilokusa Home and School in De Deur. The home and school is for profoundly disabled, adults and children who are often unwanted and frequently forgotten. Currently 140 adults and children are being taken care of at the facility. Due to the nature of the home and their location, they did not have much, if any assistance from corporates, as part of their social responsibility program. The Home urgently needed assistance and despite the distance, we stepped in to help make a significant difference in the lives of those who live and work there.
For Mandela Day, and to celebrate what would have been Madiba’s 100th birthday we decided to embrace his passion for children and education and embarked on a major project at The Ikhwezilokusa School. We gave ourselves 6 days, 6 hours and 7 minutes to give the entire school a face-lift – to paint all the classrooms, the roof, the veranda and the poles. Added to that, we wanted to paint colourful murals on all the exterior walls and have everything complete by Wednesday 18th July, for Mandela Day!
We unveiled and officially re-opened the brand "new look" school at midday on Wednesday 18th July, after which we hosted a party for all the school children, staff and residents at the Ikhwezilokusa Home and School.
Many dignitaries attended the opening ceremony, including Member of Parliament, Dennis Ryder, who gave an emotional opening speech and cut the ribbon. "The Ikhwezilokusa School has had a massive upgrade and ACS-Embrace you can be proud of what you have achieved here!" - Dennis Ryder, MP. Lillian Dyarvane, Founder and Director of the school also thanked ACS-Embrace. “I have no words,” she exclaimed. “You truly do embrace the spirit of Madiba!”
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela. We believe that we have changed their world!