1 October 2007
Several Western Cape schools stand to benefit from an ambitious venture when
British Pilot, Robert Vallier, will attempt to make the first Unity Flight of
South Africa (Ufosa) by flying a single engine aircraft to 30 communities all
round the country in 30 days, raising funds from the international community
along the way.
This venture is supported by Education MEC Cameron Dugmore, who has joined
him on the first leg of the Unity Flight from Cape Town to Beaufort-West, where
they will hand out books to the Beaufort West Secondary School.
This is the launch of a five-year commitment to support the schools
with:
* 1 000 books from the library of the 'Donate a Book' campaign in the United
Kingdom and United States of America
* computer labs
* salary for an additional teacher
* infrastructure support
* teacher and student exchange programmes with United Kingdom and United States
of America.
Other Western Cape schools that stand to benefit, include Hoerskool
Witterdrift (Plettenberg Bay), Vredendal Noord Primary, Bulumko Secondary
School (Khayelitsha) and the Bridgeville Primary School (Athlone).
Vallier's Ufosa Foundation, now established on three continents, the United
States of America, the United Kingdom and South Africa, and with the backing of
United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) Goodwill Ambassador Gavin Rajah, is
seeking to reach out and aid the 30 communities throughout South Africa,
uniting them in a far-reaching five year aid and development programme in
education, family wellbeing and health.
The Ufosa Foundation wants to focus global attention on the plight of people
all over South Africa, not just on isolated areas or causes, and seeks to raise
funds from the international community along the way.
"My challenge as a Private Pilot," says Robert "is to fly a few thousand
miles in South Africa and manage a very tight schedule in 30 days. The
challenge for the people in the communities I am going to see is in just living
and getting through each day, dealing with hunger, family abuse, minimal
education and poor health. Who has the bigger challenge?"
For enquiries:
Gert Witbooi
Cell: 082 550 3938
E-mail: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
1 October 2007
