“VUT’s 2nd-year Public Relations students, Work Wizard, hosted a two-day outreach supporting the Trauma Counselling Centre with clean-ups, talks & play sessions.”
07 October 2025 | Story By: Ngomane Gracious| Picture: Supplied
2 minutes read time.
From 02 to 03 October 2025, the second-year Public Relations Management student group, Work Wizard, from the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), hosted a highly successful two-day community engagement event in support of the Trauma Counselling Centre, a local non-profit organisation (NPO) dedicated to providing essential services to individuals and families affected by trauma. The event embodied the students’ spirit of social responsibility and mirrored VUT’s commitment to experiential learning grounded in community impact.
On the first day, the Work Wizard team rolled up their sleeves for a clean-up campaign at the Trauma Counselling Centre. They spent hours improving the centre’s surroundings, creating a welcoming, clean, and dignified environment for staff and visitors alike. This practical act of service deepened their understanding of the centre’s daily challenges and highlighted the role of Public Relations practitioners in promoting goodwill through action.
The second day centred on connection and healing, marked by a heartfelt sharing session between students, staff, and trauma survivors. Survivors courageously shared their stories, offering powerful lessons on resilience and hope. The day also included interactive play activities with children supported by the centre, bringing laughter and joy to young faces. The event drew an unexpectedly large turnout, reflecting the community’s enthusiasm and solidarity.
Public Relations student Mr Morena Gladwin Laka expressed pride in the initiative, saying, “We are proud to be partnering with the Trauma Counselling Centre to make a positive impact in our community. This event is a testament to the power of student initiative and community spirit.” His words underscored the transformative potential of student-led engagement in driving social change and fostering empathy.
Ms Monica Maluleke, a staff member at the Trauma Counselling Centre, expressed her gratitude for the collaboration: “We are truly honoured to share this day with everyone, especially the students who came out to support us in giving back to the community. We deeply appreciate this gesture and are overjoyed to see the happiness on the children’s faces. Once again, we thank the Work Wizard group for organising such a wonderful event, and we wish them success in their future endeavours.”
This initiative stands as a shining example of VUT’s Strategy 2033+ in action, reinforcing the university’s commitment to empowering students as active citizens who contribute meaningfully to the well-being of society through transformative learning, social responsibility, and sustainable community partnerships.