Kayla honoured to be Miss Teen title holder
"When my name was announced as the winner, I could not believe it. I never thought I’d win."
Edenvale High School learner Kayla Wright recently won the title of Miss Teen Social Entrepreneur South Africa.
She was crowned Miss Teen SESA at Carnival City on October 7.
“The entire Miss Teen SESA journey was amazing. When my name was announced as the winner, I could not believe it. I never thought I’d win,” said Kayla.
The Miss Teen SESA initiative, founded by Tarryn Ogle, hopes to empower young women, teach them business skills and show them how to give back to the community.
During their journey participants are required to raise funds for Dignity Dreams.
Kayla said Dignity Dreams provides washable sanitary packs to female learners.
At the finals it was announced that over R90 000 was raised for Dignity Dreams of which R30 000 was raised by Kayla.
She raised the funds by collecting donations, door to door and by hosting a school slipper day and a poker evening.
“Helping female learners is something close to my heart,” said Kayla.
She said the biggest challenge for her was explaining the initiative to men.
Kayla said many men wanted to stop listening and just donate the moment they heard the words sanitary pad.
“I just had to find a new way to explain it to men,” said Kayla.
She is determined to continue helping others with three main initiatives.
“One of my ideas is to start a feeding initiative in Alexandra. I want to start selling pancakes and employ people without jobs,” said Kayla.
She said by employing people she will create an opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs.
In her opinion, this will help them grow their community and South Africa.
Her second idea is to have a second national slipper day in 2018 and again raise funds for Dignity Dreams.
Lastly, Kayla hopes to work with Tarryn by having donation bins at local stationery shops.
“Education is very important and donation bins will allow people to donate old stationery which can be given to underprivileged schools,” said Kayla.
Any schools interested in having a slipper day can contact Kayla on kaylawrightxo@gmail.com
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