Blaauw makes a difference

JUSTISIA SHIPENA
Mariselle Stofberg and Michelline Nawatises

Tylo Blaauw has raised funds to have an air conditioner installed at an old-age home and also handed over a cheque to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Blaauw, a grade 12 learner at Windhoek Gymnasium and a Miss High finalist, visited the SPCA to hand over a cheque of N$6 700. The SPCA is a charitable organisation founded in 1949.

Its main aim is to protect and prevent cruelty to animals. There has been about 70 adoptions in January and the organisation takes in about 3 500 animals a year.

Blaauw is also part of the volunteer programme and they will be having an educational tour.

She collected the money with the help of her fellow school learners at Windhoek Gymnasium. She had a discussion with the rector and came up with the brilliant plan.

They held a civics day and collected N$10 from each learner.

Windhoek Gymnasium rector Abrie Myburgh said he is happy that Blaauw came up with the initiative, as animals are very important and need the same treatment and care as humans.

SPCA general manager Hanna Rhodin thanked Blaauw.

“It’s fantastic when the youth come out and say ‘I want to help animals’, because animals in Windhoek and beyond need proper care and we cannot do it without the support of the members of the public,” she said.

The reigning Miss Windhoek Gymnasium made another great stride by visiting the Senior Park old-age home in Pioneers Park. With the help of her parents they arranged for cake and tea to be given to the elderly.

This served as a celebration for the new air conditioner Blaauw was able to have installed, due to donations and funds raised.

“In the past we had to sit in this hall without any air-conditioning. To say we built up a bit of a sweat is an understatement. Thanks to Tylo we were able to enjoy a cool breeze today,” said Joseph Frodeman, one of the elderly.

“I want thank Tylo in every language I know, and tears are close, because we appreciate everything she does. The example her parents set for her has played a big role in the wonderful girl we see here today,” said Erika Meyer, another Senior Park resident.