Christmas has come early for some local children thanks to a unique Challenger Institute of Technology community initiative.
A group of Peel Certificate II in General Education for Adults (CGEA) students presented handmade gift bags to the Reach Out Drop In Centre in Mandurah to pass onto local disadvantaged primary school aged children.
The CGEA students came up with the concept and met regularly to discuss and plan the items to be included in the bags, which consisted of toys, stationery, activity books and toiletries.
The items were all donated by the students with some assistance from local business.
Dudley Park resident and student Amanda Wilkinson said it was a great feeling knowing children would get so much enjoyment from the gift bags.
“It’s so rewarding to know you have done something that will make such a difference to someone else’s life,” she said.
“It’s a phenomenal feeling.
“I have never worked in a team before but the dedication and commitment of each member was brilliant.”
The gift bag project formed part of the course’s core units.
Mandurah’s Reach Out Drop In Centre provides assistance to up to 177 local clients each week, providing evening and weekend meals to those in need.
The centre also hosts free community barbecues on Christmas and Good Friday.
Challenger’s CGEA aims to provide participants with skills in reading, writing and numeracy to meet personal needs and to facilitate participation in the community, workplace or further education and training.
The course is run at Challenger Institute’s Fremantle, Peel and Rockingham campuses.
Go to challenger.wa.edu.au for more information or to enrol.
