MAKHADO – A visit by staff and pupils from Tshilidzini Special School to Ridgeway College on February 23 proved to be an enriching experience for all parties involved.

Four representatives each from the visually impaired, the hearing impaired and the physically disabled section travelled to Ridgeway College. The representatives demonstrated the Braille machine for the blind and the sign language used by the deaf, and were available to answer questions by the students. Mpho, who has no arms, amazed the students by deftly writing a sentence on a piece of paper, holding the pen with his toe.

The students from Ridgeway prepared 210 sweet parcels for the Grade 0, 1 and 2 pupils of Tshilidzini Special School. Following a party for the 12 representatives, they took the sweet parcels for their younger colleagues back with them.

Mr Wilson Mukhosi, educator of the physically disabled, said that his pupils enjoyed associating with other learners. Vhuhwavho Maselesele, a Form V student from Ridgeway, said that she wanted to keep contact with the visiting pupils. "Today I realize how grateful I am. We usually look in the mirror and complain that we are fat. But now I am grateful that I can speak, see and walk."

Ridgeway College has a special community service programme for every month of the year.