Outreach adds value to US students' sojourn

Fact-finding: Visiting Florida students, seen here on the Look Out Hill in Khayelitsha, have raised funds to support a local B&B's outreach.

Visiting American students were so impressed by the efforts of a Khayelitsha businesswoman to help her community that they decided to lend a hand.

The 25 law students from the University of Florida, the Charleston School of Law, and the University of Georgia were at UCT in 2010 for a month-long exchange programme. During their stay, they visited Vicky's B&B in Khayelitsha and were impressed by the establishment's contribution to the community. Proprietor Vicky Ntozini arranges goodies for the children in her neighbourhood who, in turn, help out by showing tourists around Khayelitsha.

"The students were particularly struck by the sincerity of Ms Ntozini and the value of what she was trying to do for her community, and wanted to help," said Irena Wasserfall, director of UCT's joint summer programme in the Faculty of Law.

On their return to Florida, the students raised $1 000 (about R7 000) and this was used to buy school supplies, clothing, books and small gifts as part of Vicky's annual Christmas presents to the needy.

The students have also promised to make further donations when they are in Cape Town this year. They intend to make this an annual tradition as a small gesture of thanks to the South Africans for their hospitality and their contribution to the students' educational experience.