If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and bring supplies for the projects we support in need, you’ll be providing invaluable help to those who need it the most.

Here are the projects we support, and the items they need (an asterisk [*] before an item indicates this item is most urgently needed):

Vlottenburg Primary School

Windmeul Primary School

Windmeul Primary School educates 400 children from ages 6 through 14 years old and is situated in the rural town of Windmeul in the Noorder Agter-Paarl. The school is surrounded by farms on which the learners live and their parents cultivate the lands of the farms. Most parents are illiterate and cannot provide learners with the necessary stimulation at home.

Please consider packing: Chalk, Colored Pencils, Crayons, Erasers, Handheld Pencil Sharpeners, Pencils, Pencil Cases/Bags, Pens, Protractors, Rulers, Solar Calculators, Educational Games (eg Puzzles and Scrabble), Jump Ropes, Netball/Basketballs, and Soccer Balls

Zandvliet Care Facility

The non-profit Zandvliet Care Facility is home to more than 150 residents. Most of these are intellectually disabled, while the balance is frail and elderly. Very few receive adequate family support. A daily programme aims to boost the wellbeing and happiness of residents through physical exercises, mental and sensory stimulation, as well as therapeutic activities that reduce frustration and nurture creativity and self-worth.

Please consider packing: *Bed Linens, *Linen Sets, Bowls, Pans, Pots, and Serving Spoons, *Adult Nappies, *Bars of *Soap, *Combs, *Toothpaste

Sustainability Institute Community Programmes:

Lynedoch Children’s House

Established by the Sustainability Institute, the Lynedoch Children’s House is a play school attended by over 65 children. This is a space where imagination and creativity are grounded in a Montessori approach, enabling an innate love of learning to be nurtured in each child as they are encouraged to develop freely within sensible boundaries. The buildings are designed according to ecological building principles; the children play in natural gardens and participate each day in the growing, harvesting and cooking of organic vegetables.

Please consider packing: *Puzzles, Soccer Balls and *Balls to throw with

Library

The Sustainability Institute at Lynedoch has established a library for the surrounding community, which has been affected by issues including severe alcoholism, foetal alcohol syndrome, high levels of illiteracy and children dropping out of school early. The library aims to make reading fun for more than 300 local children (and their families) and to encourage parents to take books out to read with their children. It also hopes to provide a positive, beautiful and safe space where the wider community can gather

Please consider packing: Afrikaans Language Readers and Non-fiction for 3- to 15-year-olds, Age-Appropriate Story Books, English Language Fiction and Non-fiction books for 3- to 15-year-olds, General Science, and Magazine subscriptions (e.g. National Geographic Kids in English and Afrikaans)

Youth Hub

Operating out of the Community Library in Lynedoch, the Youth Hub provides 20 high school learners with strong academic support so they can complete their schooling. It also provides information on opportunities available to them after high school. Established to create an effective intervention point for school-going youth, it aims to instil a sense of responsibility to self, environment, and community as well as foster a sense of belonging.

Please consider packing: *Book Bags, *Pencil Cases/Bags, *Pens, Solar Calculators, Sanitary Napkins

Lynedoch Knitting Club

The Lynedoch Knitting Club provides essential community support to the elderly, including the farm community beyond the Eco-Village. Thanks to the club, grannies, who are often tasked with looking after children, are given an opportunity to indulge in their knitting hobby and get out of the house to connect with fellow community members.

Please consider packing: *Knitting Needles, *Wool, and *Toy Stuffing

Swimming Project

During the summer heat, the children in the Lynedoch farming community love to cool down in the farm dams and rivers of Stellenbosch but many of them don’t know how to swim. The Sustainability Institute’s Swimming Project aims to change this by teaching 50 primary school learners to swim during the school holidays.

Please consider packing: Black/Blue/Red Swimming Caps, Black Swimming Costumes for Boys and Girls, Swimming Goggles

Lynedoch United Football Club

The Lynedoch United Football Club has 40 young players who meet twice weekly for training. They participate in matches in the Stellenbosch League Football Association over the weekends. The senior soccer team has 23 members, who compete in the Promotional League, managed by SAFA Cape Winelands.

Please consider packing: Bibs, Plain White Practice T-shirts, Shin Guards, Size 3 Practice Balls, Size 5 Match Balls, Soccer Boots, Soccer Kits (9-11yrs, 12-13yrs, 14-16yrs), Water Bottles, and Whistles

How To Pack

Check with your airline or travel agent to determine the current luggage allowance to your destination and then review Pack for a Purpose's packing guide.

At Spier Hotel’s reception, fill out the Pack for a Purpose voucher, attach it to your package and give it to one of our reception staff who’ll ensure it’s delivered to the project of your choice.

Find more info visit our Pack for a Purpose profile.