Caitlyn Morgan will represent South Africa in the 15th PAMA Global Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Competition.
The competition will take place in California, USA in December this year.
This is the second time Caitlyn (11), who is a Grade 5 pupil at Weltevreden Park Primary School, has made the CMaths South African team.
The competition was to be held in South Africa but was cancelled due to the outbreak of Ebola in Africa.
In her qualification for the SA team, Caitlyn is now part of the Pacific Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Association of South Africa (PAMA SA) which is in association with PAMA International (Pan Pacific Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Association).
Her entry into the team was by no means a simple task.
“I had to sacrifice many hours to dedicate myself to practising. Even when I visit my mom in Natal during school holidays, I practise for one hour every day,” said Caitlyn.
Other countries that will participate in the annual competition include USA, Canada, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Sweden, to name a few.
Every year the competition is held in one of the participating countries with children from each nation taking the long journey to compete.
“I am very nervous and so excited at the same time. When I found out that I had made the team I started crying,” admitted Caitlyn.
Unfortunately, due to the poor rate of exchange of the rand to the dollar, the cost of the trip is extremely high.
“I am so incredibly proud of my girl and if anyone is interested in sponsoring my daughter Caitlyn and her massive and exciting trip please email me for more information,” said her father Dion Morgan.
Details: Dion Morgan, dionmorgan@mweb.co.za
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