​It was fun with a mission for thousands of newcomer students this week as they took another step on the road to becoming true Maties. They threw their weight behind the mission of Stellenbosch University (SU) to have a long term all-encompassing impact on the social, financial and environmental well-being of the broader community and simultaneously build networks with community partners.

As part of the Welcoming Programme, thousands of newcomer students took part in the annual Social Impact Community morning on Thursday (31 January) managed by the Matie Community Service, which fall under the Division for Social Impact. The aim of the drive was to assist to lessen the diverse needs of communities surrounding the US campuses.

Students from more than 35 residences and private student organisations (PSOs) worked with more than 24 community partners like schools, welfare organisations catering for animals, children, homeless and seniors, as well as movements against hunger and poverty to facilitate several projects in and around the Stellenbosch and Tygerberg campuses. The good work of the Matie Samaritans can also be linked to two of SU's values namely compassion and care for the wellbeing of people and respect for the environment.

SU senior management members Dr Leslie van Rooi, Senior Director: Social Impact and Transformation, Dr Ronel Retief, Registrar, Mr Pieter Kloppers, Director: Centre for Student Structures and Communities, Ms Saartjie Botha, Director: SU Woordfees and Dr Pierre Viviers, Senior Director: Campus Health Services visited some of the sites where social impact projects were being held.

“This morning gives us the opportunity to give back to the community. The newcomers are exposed to various community partners, organisations and other students. They learn how to create a relationship that will directly contribute not only to their learning experience, but also to equity, communality and interaction that will make our country a better place," said Dr Van Rooi.

Dr Retief was proud of the students' work. “It was such a privilege to be able to get a glimpse of our students' engagement with community partners in and around Stellenbosch, as well as with other organisations who endeavour to have a positive impact on our broader society. To expose and involve our first years in the various social impact initiatives during the welcoming period sets the tone of what it means to be an engaged Matie. What excited me was the enthusiasm and commitment of both the student leaders and the newcomers – whether they were packing food parcels or chatting to learners from schools in Eerste River and Manenberg. I felt proud and grateful watching them."

Some of the activities that took place:

• Stellenbosch Night Shelter​
  
  Representatives from the shelter visited Huis Neethling, Venustia, Irene and Nerina Residences to address students on how to become involved with the shelter.
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Other students made sandwiches to donate to the shelter. Denise Paulse, Manager and Social Worker at the shelter, said, “We can offer homeless people so much more. The Stellenbosch Night Shelter is there to make sure that they are taken care of. At the end of the day homeless people are human beings too and we should not forget that."​

•  Strand beach

Almost 300 students from Huis Marais, Monica and Wilgenhof residences and PSOs Equite and Capri braved the southeaster to participate in a beach clean-up by picking up litter at Strand beach next to Beach Road. The plastic litter accumulated during the clean-up will be used to manufacture eco-bricks.

After completing their assignment to contribute to the environment the students could not resist diving into the waves to cool off after their back-breaking task.

“It is great to have clean beaches and also to be part of a project that will have an impact on the environment," said Sean Richardson from Wilgenhof.

“We really feel great to be part of this initiative. This way we help to make an impact and bring change, said Anri Matthee from Monica.

• Rise Against Hunger

According to Shanaaz Stofberg, Manager of 'Rise Against Hunger' in Cape Town, this organisation was established 10 years ago with the aim of making a global impact on hunger by promoting self-sufficiency and empowerment in communities. “We are happy to be working with students from Stellenbosch University and will continue to do so throughout the year and will also help SU with their ove4Food' campaign."

Students from Olympus and Simonsberg residences helped to pack and seal 10 000 meal packs.

“Today we are here at Simonsberg residence with approximately 100 volunteer students packing meal packs for the Rise Against Hunger project in Athlone. This project feeds about 75 000 people all over the Western Cape. Today is about raising awareness about world hunger and it is an opportunity for students to physically contribute in eradicating world hunger," Tayden Van Vuuren from Olympus stated to highlight the importance of the project.

• 9Miles Project

Students from Metanioa residence welcomed learners from Beacon Hill High School and Silverstream Secondary School in Cape Town, as well as children from the 9Miles Project. 9Miles representative Emma Perries said they worked with 'kids at risk'. “This means that these kids are from informal settlements and in their communities there are no spaces for them to have extramural activities. A lot of kids in these communities resort to joining gangs. Our aim is to keep them in school, have after-school programmes and help them to enjoy diverse activities ranging from reading to surfing lessons."

• Serendipity Project
  

Students from Nerina residence made gift cards as part of the Serendipity Project. The gift cards will be handed out to people on campus as a sign of benevolence and care.

• Stellenbosch Animal Shelter /Maties PAW
  
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Students from Nerina, Helderberg and Aurora also interacted with pets as part of their social impact activities. Some students from Goldfields and Huis Visser went to the shelter to play with the abandoned animals.

• Hanna FoundationContessa van Wyk, a volunteer at Hanna, said there were many disadvantaged children in the Stellenbosch community who did not have the opportunity to go out a lot. “Through the social impact day, these children were offered the opportunity to be exposed to people from different backgrounds and it gave students the chance to learn more about their plight as well."
  
  Hanna Charity and Empowerment Foundation is a non-profitable organisation supporting communities with basic services such as playgroups, soup kitchens, skills development, job creation, clothing banks, social and psychological support, libraries and more.

Angel Nkosi, a first-year Chemical Engineering student from Nerina residence, commented that the social impact day reminded students that the community extended beyond the university. “There is a broader Stellenbosch community who needs our help."

Quinnlyn van der Merwe, second year BAccounting student from Nerina said, “Being part of the social impact day today was a good reminder to focus on the small things in life and help make a difference in others' lives."

Students from Majuba and Minerva also took a group of 60 children from the Hanna Foundation to the Jan Marais Park where they participated in several activities. After being treated to snacks, the children were able to enjoy playing with the newcomers and senior students.

• Jessie Keet Crèche in Idasvallei was visited by volunteers from Academia who had a morning filled with fun activities and delicious treats installed for the kids. This interaction will continue throughout the year.
  

• At Kayamandi Primary, students from PSOs Aristea and Pieke organised sport and art activities for the children on the Coetzenberg sports fields.  
• Idas Valley Primary School​
  
  ​Students from Goldfields and Huis Visser residences donated books to the school. They also interacted with the learners through fun activities such games and face-painting.

•  AF Louw Primary school             Students from Silene and Vesta PSOs picked up litter that will be used to make eco-bricks.        
• Ark Center and The Ark City Refuge

Residences Erica, Dagbreek and Huis ten Bosch interacted with the children and engaged in various activities like games, sport and making decorated masks from paper plates. 

•  ​Rietenbosch Primary School in Cloetesville

Newcomers from Eendrag and Lydia were introduced to the Grade 1s with whom they will interact throughout the year as part of their project at the school. They started the morning with everyone learning a dance together.

• Vision Afrika

Students from Heemstede residence assisted with schoolwork and classes. They also engaged in various activities with the children.

• Youth Outreach Centre

Students from Helshoogte and Serruria spent time with the youth at the centre.

• Legacy Centre in Kayamandi

Metanoia students visited the centre and did maintenance such as window cleaning and sweeping.

• Hospice shop Stellenbosch

Students gave assistance in sorting through donations.

• Ikaya fun day

Students from Nemesia and Simonsberg interacted with the children from the community through various sport and other fun activities.

• Bricks for youth

Residences Silene and Vesta assisted in picking up litter to make eco-bricks and create a recycling craft station.

•  Old Age Home in Stellenbosch

Sonop students visited the old age home in Stellenbosch. 

• Tygerberg campus

Students from Tygerberg campus focused on improving the environment within Tygerberg Hospital by participating in a sandwich drive for outpatients at the hospital, while Huis Francie van Zijl Residence visited Kalkfontein Primary School to encourage learners to be active and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Other activities include the creation of a campus vegetable garden and a visits to an old age home and night shelter. 

Visit SU's social media channels to see more pictures of student activities on the Social Impact Morning: Today @ Stellenbosch or ​Stellenbosch University​

 Main photo: Lebogang Mutenda from Goldfields Residence is busy painting the face of a child of  Idas Valley Primary School. Foto: Stefan Els​​