The South African fruit industry has launched a new competition for UK schools.
Junior classes are being invited to learn about life in South Africa and support schools in the country in the process.
The Help a South African School competition is encourages UK schoolchildren to research youngsters’ way of life in the Rainbow Nation while donating unwanted books to schools on farms and in other rural locations.
To enter, classes must produce and submit a project book that covers four aspects of South African culture including the Rainbow Nation concept, a day in the life of a South African farm child, the new South Africa and learning from political history, and growing our fruit.
The project book can also include drawings, poems, letter and photography.
To complete their entry, schools are being asked to make a donation of unwanted maths, science or English textbooks, or reading books, to farm and rural schools in South Africa. These often have extremely limited access to educational resources. The books will be collected from participating schools on 11 May.
The competition is open to all junior schoolchildren in years 5 and 6 in England and the equivalent school years in the rest of the UK. There are three prizes: the first placed entry will receive £2,000, second place £1,000 and third place £500. Every school that enters will also receive a certificate from the South African High Commissioner in the UK.
The South African fruit industry and its growers’ association, Hortgro Services, is supporting the competition. Jacques Du Preez, product manager at Hortgro said: “For every fruit-farm worker in a South African farm there are, on average, four dependants that rely on them. The industry provides education, housing, health and social care and we hope that this competition will increase awareness and provide further support for our employees and their families.
“We are delighted that UK schoolchildren will learn about South Africa and South African culture, helping children and families in our country at the same time.”
The first 100 schools to register online at www.helpasouthafricanschool.co.uk will receive an entry pack.
