Cookbook to help expanding Life Christian Academy

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GEORGE NEWS - Life Community Services launched a new cookbook with a varied recipe collection at a special occasion at Shofar Church on Monday 14 June.

Their school, Life Christian Academy (LCA), will benefit from sales of the book, On the menu, that was compiled by the principal, Chrisna du Preez.

"I did one and a half years of research to source well thought-through and tested recipes. There are even recipes from yesteryear borrowed from the Royal Cookery Book from 1968 for a bit of nostalgia. Parents, friends from over the world and staff of Life also contributed. I really enjoyed putting it together," says Du Preez.

Life's CEO, Maryna de Vries, says it is a unique recipe book because Life's staff and families share their best family recipes in one volume.

"It is also special in that it is a fundraiser for furthering the education of our children. There are some appealing appetisers, main meals, something for the braaiers and those with a sweet tooth. We ask the public to please support us and put these easy recipes to the test."

Copies of the book are available at 122 Cradock Street or the public may order a copy by phoning 044 873 6601.

Life Christian Academy's gardening team in the prolific vegetable garden, from left: Liziwe Mamana, Sizwe Giyo and Thembikosi Danster.

LCA's success

LCA is a huge success story. The vibrant little school was established in 2017 at Life's former (rented) premises in Main Road, Parkdene with one class of 13 Grade 1s. An additional grade has been added each year and the school now has 214 children and offers education up to Grade 5. Children are taught in neat wooden classrooms on Life's very own property in Fiskaal Street that was acquired about two years ago.

Two more grades will be added over the next two years.

Du Preez says building plans for a proper brick school building are already in place. "The new school will cost R11-million, which we still need to raise. The wooden classrooms will not go to waste but will be used for Life's Isipho job creation project and coffee shop."

On Friday when the newspaper paid a surprise visit, teachers were working in a prolific food garden where they are putting training in organic methods into practice, as taught by Norgarivier Nursery. The children had carried out their desks and chairs and were all outside washing and sanitising furniture - with no dragging of feet or unfriendly faces.

Photo gallery: Life Community Services launches new cookbook

"The children are bundles of joy to me. I enjoy incredible support from the parents and a team of devoted teachers. I have had a rich career in education with many wonderful experiences such as taking big school choirs overseas, but my adventure over the past few years as principal of LCA tops them all," says Du Preez.

On Friday, there was no dragging of feet among pupils while they enthusiastically cleaned and sanitised their own classrooms. A proud principal, Chrisna du Preez, took George Herald on a tour of the growing school.