CIDA gets a facelift

CIDA students pull together to give our campus a facelift

by Phephisile Mathizerd

A lot of us had gone home at the end of last year to enjoy the yearend holidays, which is something we all did ecstatically. On returning to the campus in January, students arrived carrying with them all of the hopes and aspirations for the New Year, whilst for the new intake of first year and foundation year students this would be a completely new experience.

That sense of a ‘fresh start’ gained material form this year; the walls that normally we would walk past without noticing would be soon be impossible to ignore. CIDA management, the Business Rescue Team, the SRC body, staff and students came together with our paint sponsors O’Grady’s to give CIDA City Campus a facelift.

On the first day, everyone geared-up and got ready; some were dressed in overalls, boots and old t-shirts, while others took a deferent approach to the sunny, warm weather and donned shorts, flip flops and colourful tops. Regardless, overflowing with enthusiasm we looked beautiful, although it really didn’t make much difference as in just a matter of minutes we were all covered in paint.

Third year student, Perusha Denston, reflected on the experience, explaining that this was her first painting experience and had never realised that it could be such fun. More importantly, the experience gave her a sense of accountability and ownership over the health and wellbeing of the environment in her “home away from home”.

After a few days work, the walls all along the entrance are now fresh and clean, and the dormitories are also back to looking gleaming and bright. Looking at how beautiful the institution is now, all agreed that the cleaning campaign was a huge success. It was satisfying to have made a difference, and felt good to have made an investment in our own environment. 
 

Everyone, staff and the students alike were willing to get their hands (and clothes) dirty in order to beautify our campus. This was a wonderful initiative and we at CIDA were reminded that everything we do and are able to achieve is on only possible thanks to the kind generosity of our sponsors, so from all of us, a big thank you to O'Grady's paints!

 

NB: CIDA is now looking for a sponsor to help refurbish one of our halls ready for the graduation. If you can help, please click here.