The children were from the ACVV Môreson Kinderhuis in Denneoord and various primary schools in the George area. Herbertsdale Primary School situated between Mossel Bay and Riversdale was also included in the project.
The idea is the brainchild of Lion, Rick Clutten who also co-ordinates the project as he was involved in a similar project at Manchester Airport in the UK. "Bringing the idea to George last year for the first time was very challenging as in Manchester we used one aircraft for all the children. It would be impractical and very expensive to hire a large jet to come to George and that is why we are thankful for the Flight Training College situated at the George Airport who came forward to be part of the project and make it a reality."
Philip Gibbs of SCCR Aviation and Jenny Becker, the former George Airport manager were responsible for all the safety arrangements on the day.
Gibbs said they had to get indemnity forms signed by all the parents before the children could even be considered for the flight and many well-meaning individuals and organizations are surprised at the amount of preparation that is needed before taking children on an outing.
Teachers Clive Zinkfontein from Conville Primary and Denzil Alcaster and Pauline Pillay from St Mary's Primary told the George Herald they had carefully chosen the children that participated in the excursion. "We want to ensure that the outing serves as motivation for them to reach even greater heights next year.
"All the learners are intelligent and diligent students."
Donald Goldfain from Rotary was delighted that once again the children who have worked hard at school could be rewarded with such an exciting outing. "We need to boost their morale so that they can realize their full potential".
Goldfain stressed that the day was made possible "because like last year it was a joint effort by the Service Clubs of George who came together to tackle a project that was too big for any individual club to handle". The clubs includes the Eden Lions Club, the George Lions Club, George Round Table, George Rotary Club, Vryburgers, the MOTHS and the Garden Route Ladies Circle.
Tillie Nel of Eden Lions said that "the co-operation of Service Clubs in a project of this magnitude bodes well for the future. The people of George that need help the most will be the main beneficiaries of this united force aimed at helping to curb poverty."
Happiness is flying high!
Staff and students from the Flight School. From left Zeldah Ntuli, Derek Taylor, Andrew Kithika, Naseem Badroodiem, Garth Anderson, Ghayronisha Moodley, Caitlin de Wet, Kagiso Mthethwa, Krissanne Pillay, Zainab Bhabha and Vincent Choco. Photo: Myron Rabinowitz
