MBOMBELA – High school learners may have a lot on their plates, what with schoolwork, extramural activities and discovering who they are. Yet they also find time for others, to try to make a difference in the lives of people they don’t even know.
CANSA annually runs a debutante and ambassador programme. Throughout the year learners work with members of the organisation to raise funds for its care and support centre, awareness campaigns, and contributions to research.
Learners have to be in grade 10 and up to participate. It takes hard work and teaches the participants valuable life skills, such as organisation. It also shows them the value of dedicating their time to the benefit of others.
As usual Hoërskool Bergvlam boasts a large number of participants this year. They told Lowvelder more about the projects they are planning.
Grade 12s
Tshepang Raditsela plans to work with Run/Walk for Life and wants to host a braai and fun day aimed at also raising awareness while encouraging fitness. “It is going to be a blast!”
Megan-Lee Uys and Tanita Nicole Engall want to launch a recycling project and host a children’s choir competition to raise funds.
Melissa-Lee Lindeque says CANSA deeply affects the community, especially among primary school learners. She plans to have a civvy day where pupils can wear pink or blue to raise funds for children with cancer.
KC Lowther and Abigail French will host a tea party for children where they can spend the day with “Disney princesses” and even take pictures with them for donations.
Nina Shabangu plans to have a Canstar event to raise awareness. “We would like to raise money for CANSA and with your help we can make the difference.”
Grade 11s
Nolwethu Nkosi plans to put on the CANSA Games comprising sports activities for women on August 8, featuring soccer, netball, a fun run in heels and food stalls. “Sponsorship is needed to make this a success.”
Thareane Mokondo and Nobuntu Shongwe plan to sell cupcakes at St Peter’s School and have a civvy day. Jeanné Collins says her main project consists of many smaller projects to raise funds. She also aims to get a cancer survivor to speak about the disease to raise awareness.
Courtney Smit plans to approach Honda to host a “Bikers against Cancer” race and awareness day. The entry fee will include a motorcycle wash and hot dogs with all profit going to CANSA.
Michelle Kasa and Chandré Oosthuizen will have a Shavathon later this month, spraying learners’ hair various colours – at a fee, of course.
Grade 10s
Rockshana Marule will be the hostess of a kiddies corner, selling sweet treats and giving away pink and white balloons to the patrons to raise funds.
Tarryn Semmens sells “princess for a day” raffle tickets where a matric farewell pamper voucher valued at R16 500 is up for grabs. It consists of hair, make-up, dress, nails, jewellery, photography, chauffeur-driven car and a cosmetics voucher. Each ticket costs R100.
Tinyiko Mambana plans to organise a biker’s rally in the third school term. The entry fee of R50 includes a hot dog or boerewors roll and drink with spectators charged at R10 each.
Leoné Pretorius says education is the most powerful weapon with which to change the world. She aims to put this into action by visiting communities to inform them about cancer, treatment and symptoms.
Savannah Combrink and Karen Chikwanha aim to sell raffle tickets. Up for grabs in the lucky draw are a week’s pass, a weekend pass or a Saturday pass to Innibos in July.
Mikayla Wilmans plans to ask Lowveld 4×4 Club for assistance in planning a fun day and obstacle course to raise funds.
Fulu Sigogo is organising a breakfast for women to bond over a lesson in the early warning signs of cancer and how it can be treated in late winter.
Tamlyn Bonini aims to raise awareness through posters and flyers informing people about different types of cancer. She will also plan functions and events to raise funds for patients including a Shavathon, quiz evening, spelling bee and fun run. “My goal is to encourage cancer patients to never give up hope and know that God is on their side.”
Marisha Gordon, Mielarka de Bruin, Anne Lubbe and Charné Britz plan to sell pink flowers, symbolising a flower blooming out of the darkness and radiating into the world, to raise awareness and bring hope to women affected by the disease.
Charné Britz also plans to set up a stall outside a busy store to sell pink cupcakes and pancakes and bows. Vanessa Hollenbach wants to host a mother-and-daughter picnic in natural surroundings with live entertainment and prizes.
To become involved or support any of the learners’ projects, contact Caren Oberholzer at 013-741-1025 or bergvlamevents@gmail.com
