President Park resident and Bryanston High School learner Dante Moodley has raised R35 000 through crowdfunding to take part in the third annual American Odyssey Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem) tour.
The top 20 learner at Bryanston High School who has a keen interest in engineering, was accepted to attend the tour and started the back-a-buddy campaign in 2019.
As previously reported in the Midrand Reporter article Dante’s Chance of a Lifetime [Week ending 20 December 2019], Dante sought R49 000 in order to cover the expenses of the Stem tour which would take him to New York City and Washington DC to visit a number of universities and tours and learn about the possible study and career options in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Overall, his crowdfunding efforts helped him raise R35 000 of the R49 000 needed for the tour. He said, “I’m so grateful to everyone who donated for my tour and now we just have to raise the last bit.”
Dante said that the tour was scheduled to begin at the end of June and beginning of July, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic he opted to postpone to next year. “I’m quite confident that everything will be under control or a cure would be found by next year. So I thought I should wait and focus on school for now.”
He added that he has been continuing high school in lockdown and is focusing on catching up on the material that they’ve missed.His mother Maiya Govender said, “It was going to be the most memorable experience of Dante’s life. We are so humble for the support from friends and family and so many strangers that contributed to our fundraising campaign.
“We have selected the June 2021 option for his trip and praying that the situation in the world will change and a vaccine will be available.”
