NWU donates much-needed hand sanitisers to schools
With no vaccine in sight for COVID-19, a number of countries are under a lot of economic pressure, trying to lessen the impact of the pandemic. Over the last few months, South African businesses and citizens have come together to assist the less fortunate with food, medical supplies, clothes and toiletries.
The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) at the North-West University (NWU) recently manufactured and donated a total of 100 litres of hand sanitisers to two schools in the Vaal Triangle region.
The team followed the formula recommended by the World Health Organization in making the sanitisers, which are available as a spray and a gel.
The main ingredients of the spray-on sanitiser include ethanol/isopropanol, glycerol, deionised water and essential oils (tea tree, lavender and vitamin E). The gel sanitisers are made from ethanol/isopropanol, glycerol, deionised water, hydroxyethyl cellulose and essential oils (tea tree, lavender, moringa and vitamin E).
Jordan Secondary School and Thandukwazi Secondary School each received 50 litres of hand sanitisers.
Prof Linda du Plessis, NWU deputy vice-chancellor for planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus operations, Prof Rodney Medupe, FNAS deputy dean for community engagement, and student recruiters Jason Beukes and Piet Van Wyk handed over the hand sanitisers.
According to Beukes, this donation is the FNAS and Student Recruitment’s contribution to support schools in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Hand sanitiser is very important. We understand that these are uncertain times and not everyone has the means to buy the necessary supplies to help them stay safe. Over the next few weeks, we will be donating more hand sanitisers to various schools,” says Beukes.
The NWU applauds the faculty and Student Recruitment for going the extra mile and implementing an ethic of care.