Curro Waterstone’s learners shine bright with hope
Stories of hope being told by Curro Waterstone to reach people's lives
As young, budding writers, being chosen by award-winning journalists Marianne Tham, Rebecca Davis, Dana Snyman or Erns Grundling, as one of the winners of the Curro and Ithemba Foundation’s #HOPEtober essay writing competition is no small feat.
But this is what Curro learners did this past week. Receiving top billing out of 286 entrants, the learners from Grades Six to 10 each shared what hope means to them while encouraging South Africans to keep hope alive as we continue to move forward through the pandemic.
Two Curro Waterstone learners are among the winners of the Curro and Ithemba Foundation’s #HOPEtober essay writing competition.
In English primary schools, Curro Waterstone’s Nala Vilakazi won the second prize (R1 000), while Mehul Morar won the third prize (R500).
The competition is part of the collaboration between Ithemba’s October Mental Health Awareness efforts and Curro’s #HopeToHeal campaign.
Nala from Fourways told the CHRONICLE her story has meant a lot and touched not only her but also a lot of people.
“My essay was about myself being a loner. I was insecure and felt like everyone, including my family, did not care about my well-being. The story I told was about what I needed to overcome while I am still growing up.
“A lot of children get depression and think they are not good enough. Our parents are also busy trying their best for us to live an honest life but don’t realise that sometimes, we also need them in our lives. I realised talking can heal a lot of wounds because if you cannot talk, it can damage you,” said Nala.
She believes writing about being lonely brought closure to her insecurities and that life isn’t too bad after all.
“After I entered the competition, I poured my heart. I realised not talking about things that bother you as a teenager can haunt you and you end up not doing well in life.
“The essay taught me we must not bottle up things that bother us but speak out. Children commit suicide or they are not doing well academically, thinking they can’t end up quitting,” she said.
Grade Six learner Mehul from Aspen said writing an essay about hope was inspired by how he felt about homeless people.
“I felt like our country is not doing enough in helping the needy. It breaks my heart that people still live in the streets while some of us have warm homes,” said Mehul.
He said his essay was about bringing hope to his country. He believes something needs to be done to better his country.
“I get touched when I see the people asking for food or money and I always ask my father to give me money to be able to help. I wish I could do more and my dream is to get them off the streets. I would like our country to be considerate and assist wherever it can,” he said.
They both said they were happy that their stories of hope were recognised and they hope they could touch many lives.
Nala added: “My parents were surprised by what I wrote about and what I was going through. They never realised and now they are more there for me. I am happy the story I told has brought them close to me and I hope other parents will be there for their children.”
A word from the judges and the school
Judge Marianne Thamm said, “The essays captured the past two years and how South Africans have had to hope and continue to hope.”
Rebecca Davis encouraged an entrant that ‘you can be a future journalist’.
Dana Snyman said it was insightful to read how the youth experience Covid-19 and what hope means to them.
“Hope, as both a verb and a noun, is something that we as South Africans need to hold dear as we continue to face untold challenges and difficulties brought on by Covid-19,” said Mari Lategan, Curro’s executive for corporate services.
“It has not been an easy 18 months, but it is critical that during such tough times that we keep perspective and believe in a better tomorrow. Our young people have great insight and are the future of our country, they give us hope.
“It is this that the entrants of the competition have captured so eloquently in their writing and I wish all the winners a round of applause for their creative and technical skills.”
