Help little Michaela start school
While some children complain about needing to go to school every day, there are others who would give anything to be in their shoes.
Quality education is one of the most important factors of a successful society, and a privilege that many people take for granted. While some children complain about needing to go to school every day, there are others who would give anything to be in their shoes.
One little girl who is desperate to start school is five-year-old Florida Park resident, Michaela Naidoo. Michaela is one of three children and is due to start Grade R in 2021, but unfortunately, this year has caused such dire financial problems for her family that they may not be able to afford it.
Both of Michaela’s parents, Brian and Jessica, were retrenched on the same day approximately two years ago, and since then had been running a small business making costume jewellery from home, and while they never had a lot, they always had enough and were happy with what they had. When the lockdown hit, their business was at a standstill; with a lot of people not working, the market for luxury items such as their product shrunk exponentially.
“The lockdown has taken its toll and we are now barely making ends meet. We had a plan for our little girl, as many parents do, and unfortunately that plan has now become something we can’t achieve on our own,” said Brian.
As parents, Brian and Jessica’s hearts break every time their daughter mentions her excitement about going to Grade R, or asks when she can finally start school because they may have to tell her that it isn’t possible.
Michaela’s two siblings are on school fee exemptions at the primary school they attend and her parents are actively applying for new jobs, but with the job market being so thin, it is difficult to accomplish. They still sell their costume jewellery from home and are saving every spare cent, but they need the community’s help.
Little Michaela and her family are pleading with any generous community members to help with a small donation towards her 2021 school fees. The Naidoo family has done extensive research to find a school that is not only safe and cost-effective, but also within walking distance of their home because they do not have a car.
Brian and Jessica have set up a BackaBuddy page to assist with the fundraising for their daughter and will give full transparency to all donors. To give any potential sponsors peace of mind, the Naidoos have also created their fundraising page with the option that none of the money raised will be paid into their account. All donated funds will be paid to the school from the BackaBuddy team directly.
Brian and Jessica have outlined the funds they will need to send their daughter to school, totalling R30 000:
• School fees: R24 000
• Deposit R2 400
• Grade R admin fee R500
• Stationery: R2 000
• Ad hoc school requirements, such as play outfits: R1 100
“This is her first year of schooling and we want nothing more than to see our little girl smile on her first day and to excel in the years to come. This will also ensure that she has a good foundation to start her schooling life,” concluded the desperate father.
If you are able to help make a little girl’s dreams of getting an education come true, visit www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/michaela-naidoo. If you have any questions or would like to speak to the family you will be helping, contact Jessica on 061 488 3005.
