Teen uses own initiative to raise funds for trips
He is third in his class and qualifies to go to the annual vacation, that only the top-five achievers in each class get the opportunity to go to the coast.He also plays for the first cricket team, which is going on a tour to Pretoria on July 11.
LYDENBURG – While most of his peers are enjoying the July holidays, Shaan Brits, driven by his passion to succeed, is baking and selling deliciously home-made confectionery for his forthcoming cricket tour and special vacation.
This hard-working pupil is in grade 11 at Hoërskool Lydenburg.
He is third in his class and qualifies to go to the annual vacation, that only the top-five achievers in each class get the opportunity to go to the coast.He also plays for the first cricket team, which is going on a tour to Pretoria on July 11.
The money he raises will pay for his cricket tour and pocket money for the vacation.
Brits has big dreams and believes that to achieve success you have to stand up and do something. According to him, children have the ability to make a difference in their own lives.
“Going on these trips will be among the most exciting moments, that is why I want to make sure that I do not miss out on the opportunity.”
The 17-year-old goes from office to office in town every day, selling his freshly baked muffins and cookies.
“I wake up at 03:30 and start baking so that I can leave the house with my mother at 06:30. When we get to her workplace, I sit in the car and do the final preparations. Then I start knocking from door to door.”
The project was his own idea.
“My parents did not ask or suggest it, I thought about it myself. I decided to ask for donations to start my business. One of my mother’s friends told people about my plan, they contributed money to buy products and my mother taught me how to bake.”
His first day was not easy but he did not give up, he just kept going.
“I remember I was very nervous. The first office I visited was the medical centre. When I entered, I did not know what to do, everyone was just looking at me.
“Fortunately, I managed to pull myself together and approached the administration desk. I told them about my fund-raising project and they bought some things.”
When he got home that day his parents were proud of the giant step and his initiative.
He has a few days left before the cricket tour and he has not yet raised enough money. If you want to help Brits, call him on 060-938-8809.
