The Carel du Toit Centre, situated at Tygerberg Hospital, is raising funds to provide subsidised transport for 60 of its pupils for the coming academic year.
According to Louise Eksteen, Carel du Toit Trust director, the trust initially needed to raise R336 800 to cover the subsidised amount.
However, since 46 of the 60 pupils are from families who earn less than R10 000 a month the trust is aiming to acquire sponsorship to cover their R456 000 in transport fees.
The centre has four minibuses and provides subsidised transport for pupils coming from Philippi, Khayelitsha, Bonteheuwel, Kuils River, Blue Downs, Eersterivier, Kraaifontein, Brackenfell, Wallacedene, Delft and Bishop Lavis daily.
According to Ms Eksteen, it will cost approximately R935 000 to operate the four minibuses next year, equating to R15 500 per pupil per year.
“However, we only charge learners R9920 per year (R992 per month) as we know that the true cost of transport is unaffordable for our parents,“ Ms Eksteen said.
“Even this amount is too expensive to many parents and we try to find sponsorships for our learners to assist with their fees,” she said.
“If no dedicated transport is available for a child, the parent is forced to bring them to school using public transport and wait for them all day. This does not only mean a double transport cost but also a loss of income as they are unable to work.”
Donations can be made through the Carel du Toit Trust website. For more information, email trust@careldutoit.co.za.
