On the first of February, I was stationed at Eden grove as part of the welcoming committee for the first years as well as signing up first years for their library presentation. During the day I escorted a couple of first years to their Residences. On the second of February, I attended the debrief as well as helped with the packing of the purple bags in the morning. I assisted with the welcoming of the first years. I went to the monument for the V.C and presidents' speech which was insightful and great. On Sunday I attended the debriefing session as well as helped international students who needed extensions to register because of the delay of their Visas. During the week I attended all council meetings, helped with financial appeals, as well as attended to international students in need. After the event, I assisted with the clean-up. I also helped with the signage of the picnic for the first years. As a council, we participated in DH visits. This was done for the reason of visibility. I attended another debrief session after the Picnic. On the day of the societies extravaganza, I helped with the directing of societies to their spaces, however, in the end, the societies were placed anywhere with available space.
I also was present for the presentation at the monument by SRC and in front of all Leadership at Rhodes University. For the Amazing Race, I helped with dropping the letters to different sponsors of clues and spot prizes. I also helped with the printing of Maps. On the morning of the amazing race, I helped with registering residences that were taking part in the amazing race. I attended talks to do with ER24 and transformation.
I attended leadership training that took place during the week. I attended to international students who wanted help with registering to Rhodes. This year the biggest problem I had to tackle was the visa delay for international students in Zimbabwe and the initial fee payment. Most students were given an extension for payment and registration considering the issues stated above. Some international students with debt from the previous year were denied registering before clearing their debt. This was problematic because some of these students had already arrived at Rhodes to register. There has been a change of financial status for international students especially Zimbabwean. I also received an email from the international councillor from UCT regarding outsourcing funds for international students, which is part of my objects for the year. She wanted to join powers to start a fund for international students called Afri-Fund.
Furthermore, attended to student walk-ins in their office. walk in There is a need for funding for international students who can not afford to pay fees. I do not think a student should be denied an opportunity to learn even if you are an international student. I also had inquired regarding funding for international students as well an academic appeal, which was unsuccessful due to the late appeal. I attended various events such as the cocktail party, the Alumni house meet and greet. I also attended talks by the equity office. We presented our portfolio duties in front of all leadership during leadership training. I attended student parliament and a talk by the harassment officer. After the parliament, I pitched my idea of a community engagement project to do with Hospital visits. This is also part of my yearly objectives. Every Tuesday we are required to send voice notes of what we need in the week, which I have done successfully. As a council, we attended the by-elections grazzle and inauguration that was a success. I managed to have a meeting with Mrs. Verona my mentor for the year. This meeting was fruitful as she highlighted how we shall discuss on time management and yearly objectives. I also managed to pitch an idea of having an international purple Thursday with the international office. My idea was to make it big and invite companies like ABSA to have an international meet and greet. This was scheduled for the 14th of March. However, because of the lack of enough time, the purple Thursday has been moved. Also, the Purple Thursday will be in conjunction with SRC. In addition, I had a meeting with the Zimbabwe Unlimited Vice President who was thinking of starting a fund for Zimbabwean students by fundraising for the money. I am also yet to attended committee meetings. The first committee I will be attending is on the 11th of March.
Furthermore, I attend a student service meeting and was part of the human rights purple Thursday. We as the Council of 2019 initiated a Mozambique and Zimbabwe Cyclone Idai donations to the citizens who were affected by the effects of the Cyclone. We have started collecting donations in the form of clothes, money or canned food items. We as the SRC have partnered up with a school in Zimbabwe called Tutorial home in collecting and delivering donations. Also, proposals will be sent out to large retailers for more donations. I have attended the constitutional review meeting as well as the meeting with Dr. Mkhize.