Van Riebeeck Park Miss Africa finalist set on helping learners
She is selling school packages which include a bag that doubles as a table for learners who do not have desks in the classroom
TWENTY-TWO may seem like a pretty young age when the younger generation is still ‘figuring life out’, but Heidi Smith has already found her calling – in giving back to the community.
The Van Riebeeck Park resident was announced as a Miss Africa Pageant finalist on June 24 and will be one of the many young girls competing for the crown later this year.
Although pageant week will only be held from October 30 to November 4, Heidi has already started fulfilling her requirements in order to be one step closer to the big prize.
This pageant is more than just your typical beauty and clothes parade but rather more focused on doing good and helping others.
As a result, the contestants have to be involved in projects that aim to uplift the community. Heidi has a few up her sleeve.
“Apart from doing various fun activities and holding the actual competition during pageant week, we also need to submit our portfolios of our charity work. I have decided to make school and toiletry packages for learners,” the final year fashion design student enlightens.
The school package is a desk bag that contains various stationary items including an exercise book, ruler, pen, pencil, eraser and sharpener. The bag is made from recycled billboard banners with reflective strips for visibility. The flap of the bag doubles as a table for learners who do not have desks in the classroom.
“These packages are a great way to let learners get the best out of their education.”
The toiletry hampers are packaged separately for girls and boys. The generic items in both include the basics such as soap, face cloth, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste. However, the boys’ packages contain a razor and the girls’ come with sanitary pads.
She is selling five of each of these packages to the public, and each hamper will go to a needy learner in one of the schools she has chosen, which include Edleen’s Rising Sun Home, Mehlareng Combined Farm School in Bredell, Hoërskool Birchleigh as well as Phomolong’s primary and secondary schools.
A portion of the money she will raise will go towards a charity of her choice.
The aspiring fashion designer has also been visiting and spending quality time at old age homes and orphanages.
A former Riebies and Hoërskool Birchleigh learner, Heidi has been involved in pageants since age 16 but only started getting serious about it at age 20. She is part of Younique Models in Boksburg.
Since then, she has been the winner of the 2016/2017 Miss Tourism Queen Kempton Park as well as the 2016/2017 Miss Pageants SA Gauteng.
“I feel overwhelmed yet excited for the upcoming pageant and can’t wait for the time to get started on it. Winning would mean so much to me because this will be a great platform for me to get more involved in community work and become a role model for young girls.”
To help Heidi assist a learner in need, you can sponsor five school packs at a cost of R1 750 and/or five toiletry packs at a cost of R1 000.
“However, if the community is not able to assist with the above donations, a donation of any amount will be appreciated.”
For more information contact Heidi on 076 570 3139 or email heidi.leigh.smith@gmail.com
