Richard and Christian Slater have helped brighten up the rural Dumphries Village by building a new crèche for local kids. The Akani Crèche opened on Monday, with 31 children currently enrolled. The number is set to increase.
Christian Slater has helped fund the Akani Creche as a birthday gift. "It's quite a birthday present," says Richard.
Christian was introduced to the Dumphries community through Pride 'n Purpose, a community development project co-funded by the Ulusaba private game reserve and Virgin Unite. Christian has also been sponsoring other projects since first getting involved in humanitarian work in South Africa five years ago.
Jean Oelwang, says: "The other great thing that he's funding is boreholes for water and sustainable gardens so the whole thing becomes sustainable itself. Christian has been great."
She says Christian’s Jeremiah crèche "inspired lots of other people to want to come in and help support the area".
Slater talks about the enthusiasm of the Dumphries teachers and children, making a comparison between the United States and South Africa.
"It's not like this in America," he says. "You build a school for kids in America and they just take it for granted.
Here it's a parade. It's really appreciated and thoroughly embraced. The kids are just eager and anxious. They're just little sponges ready to learn."
He says: "This is certainly one of the greatest days of my life. To have this kind of experience is quite unique and wonderful. I recommend it to everybody."