A few month’s back I told you about Harrison, a guy I used to work with
many years ago and who has for the last 7 years been tending to my garden every
second Saturday. A whole bunch of you
very generously donated some money so that he could have a ceiling and a toilet
installed in his house. The toilet isn’t
yet complete, but he has had the ceiling installed and he is very grateful to
all of you. It makes a huge difference
with the extreme heat we get here in Summer. Harrison is extremely proud of his house, the first brick and mortar
house he has ever owned. They used to
live in a shack before.
I saw Harrison last Saturday and his first words were “how much does it
cost for a bucket of ice-cream?” Huh? A bucket of ice cream he says. I don’t know, I reply, about R25 or so,
why? He tells me he is now selling
ice-creams from his house, for some extra money. R1 for a scoop of ice-cream in a cone. Way too cheap! I told him that we pay R4.5 for a scoop of
ice-cream; he should be charging at least R2. (1USD = 7ZAR)
I asked him if he was selling ice-creams over the weekend. No, he says,
his oldest two children are selling the ice-creams during the week. What! I thought they were at
college. His oldest daughter Nontobeko is 22 and is about to graduate with a Food
Technology diploma (I think in micro biology) and his 19 year old son, Masande
has just finished high school. He has
been accepted into the University of the
Western Cape to study Chemical Engineering. But none of that matters because his daughter can’t find a job (unemployment
is very high in SA. Currently at 40%) and on his indecently (bordering on illegal!) low wage, there is no way Harrison can
afford to pay for his son's university fees. It breaks my heart.
I am so proud of his children for what they have achieved, against all
odds. Their mother works six days a week
as a cleaner, and their father works five days a week in a car wash. Both of them have to leave very early and arrive home very late because they have to walk quite a distance to catch the bus and train. In spite of having to study in a tiny shack, with a tin roof and no
floor; no running water, no toilet, intermittent
power; when so many young people drop out of school due to poverty, gangsterism and violence; in spite of that, they still
studied damn hard and did really well. And
now this.
I want to try and help them. Does anyone have any idea how I could do this? Is there anyone with contacts with companies
who might be interested in sponsoring Masande’s university fees? Any food companies who would take Nontobeko
as an apprentice? Does anyone have any ideas / contacts / influence? Surely there must be
something I can do for them? Put them in
touch with the right people. Any suggestions as to how I should approach this? I can’t
believe that these two young people who have shown such great strength and
determination have to spend the rest of their lives selling ice-creams for R1
from their backyard.
How annoying!!! Would be such a waste and seriously depressing that all this education could go to waste as such. There must be some kind of sponsorship somewhere. Out of curiosity what are the costs involved in sending his son to varsity?
Posted by: Jazz | 29 January 2008 at 06:32 AM
Some info for the son: the eduloan offices are located at student admin at uwc. They give bursaries to deserving students. Also,he should contact the bursaries office at uwc. Eskom has a number of chemical engineering bursaries which include living and travelling costs,but he should hurry and apply as closing dates are coming up as soon as feb.
Posted by: Lamya | 29 January 2008 at 06:35 AM
Egads...how sad. And I know they aren't the only ones facing and beating the odds they are up against. I'm hoping to hear better news for them soon.
And YAY for Harrison's ceiling! Impressive! Potty pics next, okay? Pinky-swear!
Posted by: Judy | 29 January 2008 at 06:37 AM
Some info for the son: the eduloan offices are located at student admin at uwc. They give bursaries to deserving students. Also,he should contact the bursaries office at uwc. Eskom has a number of chemical engineering bursaries which include living and travelling costs,but he should hurry and apply as closing dates are coming up as soon as feb.
Posted by: Lamya | 29 January 2008 at 06:37 AM
From your link...perhaps worth pursuing
6. Where can I apply for university financing?
You may enquire at the Student Financial Aid Office in the foyer of the banking hall on the ground floor of the Administration Building or by calling their Help Desk at (021) 959 3114.
Posted by: Jazz | 29 January 2008 at 06:39 AM
Apprenticeships are back - October 2007
http://www.developtechnology.co.za/web/content/view/20367/31/
Apprenticeships are back on the menu of the food and beverage manufacturing sector, and they are stronger and more incentivised than ever.
So significant are apprenticeships that the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (FoodBev Seta) offered R30,000 in grants for a two-year apprenticeship for each candidate enrolled during 2006/7, and raised this in the current year to R60,000 for each unemployed learner enrolled on an apprenticeship.
Can be contacted on:
Postal Address: Box 81310, Parkhurst, 2120, South Africa.
Tel: +27-11-880-3682
Fax: +27-11-447-5128
Posted by: Jazz | 29 January 2008 at 06:58 AM
Out of curiosity - how much does it cost to go to school in the programs they have chosen? I may have some resources to point them at.
Posted by: Egg Donor (ret.) | 29 January 2008 at 07:41 AM
I should have checked the fees first. I'll make a few calls quickly. Brb.
Posted by: Tertia | 29 January 2008 at 08:00 AM
Hello, im new to your site...
im so glad there were some people like you who really think for the future of others who really worth for.
May our God Blesses you more
Elzr (a hardworking student)
Posted by: elzr | 29 January 2008 at 08:19 AM
Till Tertia knows more for sure, I believe the costs on the uni/varsity website were in the region of ZAR12-15000 (US$1700-2100)p.a. depending exactly the course, level and what not.
Posted by: Jazz | 29 January 2008 at 08:25 AM
Quick update cos I am late for work!
Just called the Uni. Registration closes this Saturday!!! I didn't know. If he doesn't pay R3100 by this Saturday then he misses out for the year. R3100 is twice Harrison's monthly salary.
Once he is registered, he (we) can access the bursaries and grants available. Now I need to try get hold of him and find out if he is on campus. Shit. Can't believe registration closes this sat.
These are my scribbled notes. Will be back later.
All have to register by this saturday
Registration R3100
R13,000 per annum
Does not cover books
University admin cost R630
Need to apply for a bursary
Financially needy and academically doing well enough
Absa 4049604740
Payment to university of western cape , student number as reference
Ayton
Posted by: Tertia | 29 January 2008 at 09:08 AM
Chemical company Sasol has bursaries available for chemical engineering students. Applications should be submitted to Sasol no later than 31 May each year for the following academic year. More info at: http://www.sasolbursaries.com/sasol_internet/frontend/bursary/bsr_index.jsp?index=1&articleid=1
Posted by: Visitor | 29 January 2008 at 09:38 AM
Maybe we can collect for his registration money in the mean time. He can not wait for the bursary / student loan to come through. Otherwise he loses a year.
What do you think? It is not that much money (R3 100, $ 443) if everyone contributes a little.
Posted by: Lena | 29 January 2008 at 12:48 PM
I would like to donate $20 Australian Dollars to Masende. What is the best way to get it to you? Do you have Paypal? Jackie
Posted by: Jackie | 29 January 2008 at 01:46 PM
Perhaps Harrison's daughter could contact me and I'll see what I can do on the Food Technology side...
Posted by: Bev | 29 January 2008 at 02:50 PM
You have such a BIG heart! I love when you do these things!
Makes me believe in humanity again :) Read this too - http://takechargeofyourlife.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-do-you-really-need.html
(and well done on the kids not crying!!!)
Posted by: Marcia Francois | 29 January 2008 at 02:54 PM
Yes, do you have a paypal account, or what would be a good way to donate? I'm in the US, and I'm sure I could rally a few people here! Is it $443 US that he needs?
Posted by: Jane | 29 January 2008 at 04:11 PM
Have you explored the MyGenius community at all? Not as active in Cape Town as in Joburg but a seriously wonderful bunch of Saffas who are doing so much business networking and supporting of one another. I'm pretty sure you would be able to find some sort of lead there. In fact I'll cut and paste this post to a blog on My genius but you would do well to perhaps join the community as it might be useful for you in other ways.
www.mygenius.com
Posted by: Jeanne | 29 January 2008 at 04:12 PM
See this link, if it allows you in. I don't visit the site often enough to keep a watch for any responses that may come in.
http://www.mygenius.com/za/Blogs/tabid/262/view/blogView/bid/3633/default.aspx
Posted by: Jeanne | 29 January 2008 at 04:15 PM
I'm in the US also and would contribute and could rally others as well.
Posted by: Suzanne | 29 January 2008 at 04:51 PM
ready to paypal when you say the word...
Posted by: kay | 29 January 2008 at 05:01 PM
Sitting on ready to paypal before Saturday. Just let us know...K
Posted by: Kirsten | 29 January 2008 at 05:19 PM
I'd like to donate too! I can cover at least $25 American dollars and if I spread the word to family and friends, I'm sure we can cover it. I'll have to talk to my husband but we might be willing to front the whole amount till enough is collected via paypal. Does his daughter have enough to cover her tuition?
Email me!
Posted by: Kelly | 29 January 2008 at 05:42 PM
Waiting for paypal info too. I'd be happy to help.
Posted by: Kay in Mass USA | 29 January 2008 at 07:20 PM
Please post the Paypal info, I will contribute.
Posted by: Elizabeth | 29 January 2008 at 07:46 PM
Me too! Give us the info on donating and I will gladly do so.
Posted by: Anne | 29 January 2008 at 08:34 PM
So glad for the update on Harrison. I agree that his children who have worked so hard (they must get it from their Dad!) should have all opportunities they can get. Would love to contribute - just give the word as to how I can.
Posted by: silene | 29 January 2008 at 08:53 PM
I'll contribute, you have so many people ready and willing, lets do it!
Posted by: Sissy | 29 January 2008 at 09:43 PM
I will be glad to contribute. Just say the word...
Posted by: Incognito | 30 January 2008 at 01:09 AM
also awaiting Paypal info.
Posted by: Kathy B. | 30 January 2008 at 05:32 PM
Please read an open letter to Thabo Mbeki from anti-apartheid activist about the situation in SA.
http://www.johnminto.org.nz/
Posted by: Francois | 30 January 2008 at 07:08 PM