Community raises funds for teen going to Australia

The community of Mayibuye has lived up to the saying that ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ as they put their hands together to raise funds for a Maphutha Secondary School youngster who will be heading to Australia on a student exchange programme on 2 December.

Shilah Mbewe, raised by her single mother with two other siblings, never dreamt of going abroad – but on November 22, her school and peers bade her farewell as she is about to embark on a life-changing journey. Currently in Grade 11, she is one of four in the country to be selected by the Igrise organisation for a month-long exchange programme with Australia.

Igrise together with the Rotary Club in Australia take the teenagers on a cross-cultural and leadership programme where they explore the country and visit one of its schools during their stay. Mbewe, whose mother is the local tailor, could not afford the R17 000 air ticket. This resulted in her peers and teachers going out on a full-blown campaign to raise funds for her. The Ivory Park Taxi Association, Nashua, and a local doctor donated to the cause. “Everybody dug deep into their pockets to make this possible, including learners, teachers and the school,” said one of the teachers, Thomas Molepo.

The 18-year-old Mbewe, who aspires to study law after matric, said what kept her grounded was her Christian belief. “I want to encourage my peers, especially girls and those that come from disadvantaged backgrounds, that their dreams are valid and that nothing is impossible with hard work,” she said.

Mbewe will jet out of the country on December 2 and return on January 8. “I am so proud of my daughter and happy that she has got opportunities that I never got while I grew up,” concluded her mother, Tebogo Mabobe.

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