The 2024 RAG of Hope Day, held on May 4th, was an unforgettable occasion marked by a spirit of generosity and community engagement.

The day featured various activities including the UP's got Talent showcase, various sports, a bustling craft market and above all, a palpable sense of giving back. This student-driven initiative serves as a platform for UP students to have a meaningful impact on their community. Various faculty houses, residences and other structures raised funds through the sale of crafts created primarily from recycled materials and collected non-perishable food items throughout RAG week. The food items were donated to the UP Student Nutrition and Progress Programme, SNAPP. Structures may donate the proceeds to any charity of their choice.

Health House proudly joined forces with Law House in an exciting collaboration named "Greys x Suits," inspired by the popular TV shows Grey's Anatomy and Suits. A series of social events unfolded throughout the week, including a craft-making social, the RAG wedding (where Law House and Health House officially tied the knot) and the highly anticipated Rag of Hope Day.

On Wednesday, May 1st, we commemorated Worker's Day by presenting small tokens of appreciation to our dedicated workers on Prinshof campus, recognizing their invaluable contributions. These initiatives were led by Lungile Mkhabela, Vice Chairperson of Health House and head of community engagement. This initiative truly embodies the essence of giving back throughout RAG week.

Health House extends heartfelt gratitude to our sub-houses for their selfless contributions. We appreciate your dedication of valuable time and energy to this cause. All proceeds will be donated to the #lifechangers fund, a decision aligned with our core community engagement value, focused on impacting the students in need within our own community. We believe that charity starts at home.

At the RAG awards ceremony, the strength of collaboration shone through as Greys × Suits secured a second place for 'social media interaction.’ Nicole Sutton, Vice Chairperson of Health House proudly represented Greys x Suits on stage with her saxophone performance and won the instrumental category of UP's Got Talent.

The success of the RAG initiative is a testament to the UP WAY of life, which encourages students to utilize their unique skills to have a positive impact on society. We hope to carry forward the lessons learned and the spirit of giving back as we work towards building a more compassionate society.