“It was an incredible experience and I am so grateful for the opportunity. I would very much like to do it again just to experience it for a second time,” says the 83-year-old Sr Marie-Therese McLoughlin of the Notre Dame St Peter’s School (NDSPS) about her skydiving jump.
The brave Sr Marie skydived in Parys on 13 May. Supporters from as far as Pretoria, Johannesburg and, of course, Kroonstad came to witness her big moment.
The jump was not only for a bit of adventure, but to raise money for the NDSPS in Kroonstad. She realised that more and more children would go to school hungry and urgently felt the need to do something. Rotarians of Kroonstad assisted her with the fundraising, and were also in Parys to support her.
“The Kroonstad Rotary is also involved in a vegetable garden project at the school and I am very grateful for their loyal support,” Sr Marie shares.
She would like to thank everyone who contributed to this worthy cause.
There are about 600 children, from preschool to matric, at the school, which includes classes for learners with special needs. Sr Marie has been involved with the school since 1952, when she first came to Kroonstad from Port Elizabeth. She joined the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1959.
After completing school, Sr Marie studied to become a music teacher, then a primary school teacher, and she later studied at the University of Cape Town (UCT) to become a high school teacher and psychiatric social worker.
She recently returned to NDSPS, where she serves as chaplain and counsellor.
“I am now on my last journey on earth and know that I am on my way to God. Therefore, I am thankful that I had this wonderful opportunity,” she says.
