We are always excited to see future ODs and the sons of ODs follow in the footsteps of their fathers when it comes to social responsibility.  These boys and their families have a legacy of giving back through acts of service and projects that serve communities in need.  We chatted to Campbell, John and Aidan who popped into the Mitre earlier this week.  They shared their big ideas with us and Aidan then sent us the following write up about the good work they are doing:

Our Mission

We’re a group of Grade 9 students working our way through the “Big Ideas” curriculum at Bishops Diocesan College in Rondebosch, Cape Town. The "Big Ideas" program is a unique initiative at our school, running through the second semester of Grade 9 and helping us connect with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to tackle real-world problems.

Our team—John Dingley, Campbell Graaff, and me, Aidan Edwards—has taken on a project focused on increasing access to compostable and reusable feminine hygiene products for students at a local school here in Cape Town. We each bring different strengths to the project, but we share a common goal: making a positive impact.

The School We're Partnering With

The school we’re working with is Bloekombos, located in Kraaifontein, Durbanville. The need for sanitary pads is a big issue there, as it is in many underprivileged schools across South Africa. We hope that by providing access to compostable and reusable hygiene products, we can make a real difference in students’ lives.

Carrying on the OD Legacy

Inspired by our dads, Craig Edwards and De Villiers Graaff, we, their sons, with our friends, are continuing the OD tradition of addressing social challenges through the Big Ideas program. Our team is working to bring eco-friendly sanitary products to Bloekombos High School in Durbanville, where there is a strong need for feminine hygiene support. With the backing of our fathers and the Bishops community, we’re aiming to create meaningful change where it’s needed most.

If you like what we are doing, here is how you can help

We’re running a raffle to support Bloekombos, and 100% of the sales will go directly to this cause. CLICK HERE to buy a ticket.

What the boys had to say about their dads:

De Villiers Graaff:  De Villiers Graaff, an old boy from Bishops, a man that has 4 children, an amazing wife and an even better son.  De Villiers Graaff currently runs De Grendel Wine Estate and countless other projects

Craig Edwards: From the Class of 1988 Craig is Proud Father of 2, his career has varied significantly, from joining the Navy afterschool, to fish farming to diamond mining in Lesotho, he now runs a farm & golf estate in Magerfontein in the Northern Cape.