Local residents launch scholarship foundation

TO give young pupils with great potential a chance at success, they need to be given an opportunity to do so. It’s a belief that resonates with Durban North resident and Northwood School employee, Jenni-Lyn van Niekerk, who, alongside former Beachwood and Northwood School principals, Ian Corbishley and Mike Ellis, launched a scholarship programme recently.

The Corbishley Ellis Foundation was officially launched by Van Niekerk, who is the foundation director.  She added that there were a number of families in Durban North that cannot afford schooling.

“We’ve seen, particularly at Northwood, that pupils applying sometimes withdraw because of the costs involved. Some also try to apply for a scholarship and sometimes they don’t qualify for it. As a school we realised it was our duty to assist those boys and we formed the Corbishley Ellis Foundation. I’m fortunate in that the two men who head up the foundation have the same heart as me.

“We assist boys who otherwise may fall through the cracks and give them a chance at success. Giving young pupils a chance to be educated at the highest levels is what this is about. The foundation affords an opportunity for a pupil to reach his full potential, a pupil who has experienced personal hardship and, most of all, one who shows excellence of character,” Van Niekerk said.

Some schools have already began piloting the non-profit organisation by identifying potential pupils. Referrals have already come from churches, local primary schools as well as pupils identified by foundation members.

“From the outset, pupils accepted to the foundation will be the focus and most important part of the project. There’s a huge gap between the privileged and underprivileged pupils and we are hoping to bridge that gap with this scholarship programme,” she said.

If you would like to support the foundation or find out more, e-mail marketing@nwood.co.za.