Celebrating new journeys

On Saturday 13^th March The Hillcrest Aids Centre South Africa hosted a celebration for our wonderful young women, Lebo and Nompilo.  It was in acknowledgment of their brilliant examination results and to celebrate their gaining a place at University.  Lebo will be attending UKZN (University of KwaZulu-Natal) studying for a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Law and Nompilo will be attending the University of Johannesburg to study for a B Com in Accountancy.

We invited both girls with their mums, Mr George Shau the retired Principal of Inchanga Primary, Jonathan and Sandy from Lionsraw, Peter Ford and his wife to represent Hillcrest Aids UK and of course Candace Davidson CEO of HACT SA.  Even Margaret was able to attend and talk to everyone via Skype (seen on the laptop!).  Sandwiches were provided and a cake congratulating both girls.

What Lebo and Nompilo did not know was that HACT UK and Lionsraw had purchased a laptop for each of them for their university studies, so the gathering was also an opportunity to present these to them along with R600.00 each for a data dongle to enable them to access their lectures and documents for their studies as all learning is online at present due to Covid-19.

Although the girls had really worked hard to obtain such wonderful grades, getting the university places was not a piece of cake! There was a problem with the online registration and communication was not great. Several people helped overcome this last hurdle, with Margaret calling on everyone she could, to assist.  The main help came from George Shau who was phoning both universities every day and sometimes twice a day due to the issues with the online registration; the Principal and another member of staff from Kloof High School SA and for the very last hurdle for Nompilo, Sbusisiwe Myeni and her Imbeleko Foundation. We are truly grateful for their dedication, help and support.

The celebration party, though small, was a lovely event, and everyone said the cake was delicious!

Once the party ended Jonathan and Sandy took Lebo and Nompilo to purchase their data dongles. So now they are all set, the next chapter of their lives is about to begin.

We will of course still be following their progress (and supporting them when needed) and are sure they will succeed. We wish them the very best for their bright futures ahead. We would like to take this chance to thank everyone past and present who have supported these young women on their journeys.

If you would like to help support other students like Lebo and Nompilo, through their secondary education then please donate here. Every single penny goes where it is needed!