JEFF HUNTLEY Sentinel reporter Nicole Vaccaro sorts through all of the items sent for the children of the isiZulu container school in South Africa. A care package filled with readers’ generous contributions will be sent later this week.
The overwhelming generosity of our readers toward the children of the isiZulu container school in South Africa has flooded the office of Greater Media Newspapers with enough boxes to fill one reporter’s entire cubicle — literally.
Since the article "Bringing International Education a World Closer" first appeared in our paper in October, not a day has gone by without at least one donation arriving.
Gifts of crayons, pens, pencils, paper, children’s books, tape players, batteries, and even a portable television have been received and will be shipped to South Africa later this week.
Included with some of the gifts were heartwarming notes of thanks for the newspaper’s part in this; however, the real thanks must go to those residents who took time out of their busy holiday season to help make the lives of these underprivileged, Third World children a little brighter.
Thanks must also be extended to Professor Rosetta D’Angelo of East Brunswick for sharing her tremendous story with readers.
Perhaps she summed up the reason for this collection best when she said, "We in the United States take so much for granted when even the simplest things may make a world of difference someplace else.
"These South African children suffer at the hands of grossly inadequate learning facilities and a shortage of supplies. There is no electricity and not enough space, not even a pencil or paper to write with," she concluded. "It broke my heart."
D’Angelo visited the isiZulu container school in September while accompanying 24 fellow educators from North America to Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa, for a special conference.
The purpose of their visit was to evaluate the country’s use of language and culture, and to provide South African educators with suggestions and insights on how to improve the quality of education they offered.
Little did D’Angelo realize that she would develop a lifelong connection with the children there, sending care packages of her own on a regular basis.
"What I went there expecting to see and what I returned having seen have drastically changed my perception of life here," she added. "As United States citizens, we are in a fortunate position to help, and should never take that responsibility lightly."
Thanks to everyone who donated to this worthy cause.
— Nicole Vaccaro

