GEORGE NEWS - Outeniqua Primary School learners were privileged to welcome some of the rescue workers involved in the George building collapse when members of the Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) and K9 Search and Rescue unit visited the school.
The learners took the opportunity to ask questions and, of course, say thank you to their heroes.
The message the team brought is that a leader has to serve. "Two is one, one is none," said Capt LA Sutton of the WPDS.
Lenore Collett, a volunteer who was working on the site in Victoria Street, says she worked night shifts at first and every day her daughter wanted to know what happened on site.
"That's all those kids at school talked about for days on end and I realised how this tragedy affected the children too. Every night before I drove for the night shift, she prayed for people who might still be in cavities and for the dogs for guidance," said Collett.
After realising how the disaster impacted on everyone in the community, Collett decided to try to bring the heroes out to the public to thank them.
"I have so much respect and esteem for that whole team for pushing through and showing up at school and how well they handled the kids. At that point they were all physically and emotionally in tatters and had been away from home for a long time.
"Despite this, they never once rushed the process and from the personal feedback I received I know for a fact that they deeply touched a few children's hearts and gave hope again," said Collett.
Lt Col Ricardo Davids of the K9 unit expressed great appreciation towards the school for the opportunity.
"We just want to express our sincere appreciation to the school for giving us the opportunity to share our experiences with our leaders and rescue technicians of the future.
"The fact that we were given the opportunity speaks volumes of the school and community's support towards the members because in most cases, the members just disappear into the background until the next case comes up. We thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts," he said.
The visitors and learners during a questions-and-answers session held during the visit. Photo: Okay Ella Photography
The organising team for the visit to the school were, from left, Ruan Barnard, Jacques Meyer (both teachers), Lenore Collett (volunteer) and MMC for Community Safety Marais Kruger. Photo: Deidre Cloete‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
