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PUPILS and teachers at the Carpe Diem School for the disabled in George have spent the past three months hand-making items to sell at their Christmas market tomorrow and on Saturday.

The school needs to raise funds to supplement what it gets from the Western Cape Education Department.

Spokesman Eone de Villiers said yesterday the school had raised R18000 last year and hoped to top the R20000 mark this weekend.

She said the 253 pupils, from Grade R to Grade 9, had made the items during their tactile stimulation classes. These included potted plants, pottery knicknacks, bead work and Christmas decorations.

Principal Karools Hauptfleisch said: “We are so proud of our teachers and pupils who have used every spare moment of the past few months to create the items. There is a variety of gifts and Christmas decorations that will be on sale.”

The school, which caters for children with disabilities, including learning and physical disabilities, runs the mainstream curriculum and then places children with Further Education and Training facilities.

The money raised will be used for items not catered for by the Education Department, like a daily meal for the children, catheters and nappies.

“Ninety per cent of the children come from poor households. The school provides them with uniforms, transport and a meal which for some children may be their only food for the day. They are also trying to send nappies home with the children,” De Villiers said.

The market runs from 9am to 6pm tomorrow and 9am to 1pm on Saturday.