FESPA Foundation unites with Messe Frankfurt South Africa to create a positive impact at Madisei Primary School.
FESPA Foundation and Messe Frankfurt South Africa transform Madisei Primary School and refurbish community library, through the ‘Adopt-a-School’ initiative.
When organisations across the print and exhibition industries work together, their collaborative impact can reach far beyond the show floor. This was exemplified earlier this year when Messe Frankfurt South Africa South Africa travelled to Madisei Primary School in Limpopo – the school that it’s sponsored – as part of the FESPA Foundation’s ‘Adopt-a-School’ initiative.
Earlier this year, teams from Messe Frankfurt South Africa visited the rural school to carry out improvement projects designed to enhance the learning environment, as well as provide educational opportunities for pupils and the wider community.
While the focus of the 10-day visit was to refurbish the school’s library, the project quickly evolved into a broader effort to improve multiple areas of the school. Over ten days, volunteers worked alongside the FESPA Foundation team and school staff to transform facilities and provide much-needed resources.
During the refurbishment of the school library, new bookshelves were built, additional furniture was installed and books were organised to create a welcoming reading environment for learners.
In addition to the pupils of Madisei Primary School, the library serves the wider village too. And, for many families in the surrounding rural community, it provides their only access to books and educational materials.
When the library upgrade was completed, the team expanded its contents with donated books, which are helping it to become an even richer educational resource for the community.
Peter Sekolong Radebe, Principal at Madisei Primary School, says: “The [Adopt-A-School initiative] will help, because it will bring with it much needed resources like the library. The benefits will help for many years to come. This is a legacy that no one can erase. We are very grateful to the FESPA Foundation.”
Improving the learning environment
In addition to the library project, other practical improvements were carried out across the school.
Five classrooms were spring-cleaned and repainted, while tiles were repaired in three others. Faulty door locks were replaced to improve the safety and privacy throughout the school.
Volunteers also renovated the school’s kitchen, which had previously fallen out of use and was being used for storage. The team restored it to full working order and filled a 19kg gas bottle to replace outdoor cooking over open fires. They also provided new cooking utensils, plates and cups for the students.
The FESPA Foundation and Messe Frankfurt South Africa teams, and the volunteers, donated paints, ink, pens and pencils to the classrooms. They also purchased gardening equipment for the school for the maintenance of its grounds.
More than materials
While the physical improvements to the school are significant, those involved emphasised that the most meaningful impact came from spending time with the teachers and students. For example, during the visit, team members worked directly with students in classrooms to bring colour and creativity back into learning spaces that had previously been sparse and worn.
Jessica Nhleko, Outbound Sales Manager, Messe Frankfurt South Africa comments: “It’s been great to spend time here. We’ve imparted our knowledge, had fun and also gotten our hands dirty while renovating the school, to make it look better and more beautiful than it was when we first arrived.”
For many of the visiting volunteers, the experience was also a powerful reminder of the importance of educational access – bringing to the spotlight the possibilities that reading materials and books provide to students.
A shared commitment to positive change
The partnership between the FESPA Foundation and Messe Frankfurt South Africa highlights the positive impact that the print and events industries can have on education and community development.
While funding projects is valuable, being present and working alongside the community creates a deeper and more meaningful impact. Through the ‘Adopt-a-School Programme’, Messe Frankfurt South Africa was able to provide in-person, hands-on support, as well as financial aid to Madisei Primary School. And, with the help of volunteers’ time on-site, the team managed to transform the school with painted classrooms, repaired bathrooms, donated supplies and a modernised library.
The results at Madisei Primary School demonstrate what can be achieved when organisations within the same industry collaborate with a shared purpose in mind.
The refurbished library, improved classrooms and revitalised facilities will support students for years to come. In addition, the new community library space will provide the wider community with an ongoing gateway to knowledge.
The FESPA Foundation looks forward to welcoming more sponsors and partners. To learn more and support the organisation, visit: https://www.fespa.com/en/about/fespa-foundation/
