Inspirational Women: Jackie does it all
Durban North resident, Jackie Gaines manages to balance her career, priorities as a mum and her passion for community work.
IN celebration of National Women’s Month the Northglen News will be honouring several heroines who have been striving to improve the lives of fellow South African countrymen as well as our furry companions. Through the series we hope to inspire others through these women’s selfless and tireless work within the community. Every year South Africa commemorates Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women.
BEING superwoman is something most women in the 21st century aspire towards. We want to be mothers and have successful careers. Durban North resident Jackie Gaines is someone who the Northglen News believes epitomises the definition of a modern day role model, and is the second nomination for our inspirational Women’s Month feature.
Not only is she a full-time mother of two and a teacher at Northlands Girls’ High School, but she also manages to find time to run a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), Community UPlift, with her husband, Mark.
The project started in the couple’s lounge as The Jingle Bells Project in 2010. The Gaines wished to share some joy with the less fortunate during the festive season. Last year they incorporated the Jersey June collection drive and then this year the project was rebranded as the couple wished to assist people throughout the year.
“I wanted to start the project, because I believe it is a prime example of love, and I wanted to pay it forward. I believe a big inspiration in my life has been my parents, Joey and Sarel Peens. They have raised me with the values of giving and sharing what you have with others. We don’t ever have without being able to share. That ethos has stood me in great stead. If everyone humbled themselves and dug deep they would have the capacity to inspire change for another individual,” she said.
Two of the additional projects of the charity organisation are A Day Without Shoes drive and the Pencil Box Project, which collected shoes and stationery for poor communities. However, Gaines admitted that without the support of her husband she would not be able ‘to wear all these different caps’.
“Without the support of Mark, or my family I would not be able to do all that I do. He not only supports me by helping with the kids, but he also allows me to be who I am, and encourages me to do all the things I want to do. A good and strong support structure is important. Without it I would burn out,” she said.
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