Young resident helps others through the Epic Foundation

Saydi Steward is an 11-year-old from Brackenhurst. Her main mission is to get more youth involved in the EPIC Foundation.

Her grandmother, Mandy Steward, who has been a volunteer for the last three years, inspired her and also got her involved in the foundation.

“When I saw the amazing work the volunteers do at the foundation, I did not think twice to become a volunteer,” she said.

The main objective of the EPIC Foundation is the management of various projects and initiatives aimed at assisting victims of rape and abuse, which include women in shelters.

Other ad hoc projects will also be undertaken to help people in crisis and support other charities. It was founded by Raceview resident Alta Mcmaster.

Her journey with the EPIC Foundation

Saydi is the youngest volunteer of the foundation and she loves every second of it.

“We try to go to the EPIC Foundation premises weekly to help out with the packing of the comfort packs, tidying up, stuffing teddy bears and also helping needy matriculants to find the perfect dress or suit for their matric farewell. We help where help is needed. “Some days we end up packing over 300 comfort packs,” she explained.

Saydi also got her family to help her decorate notebooks. Her dad bought a ream of A4 paper and she folded a few sheets in half, stapling the centre and then decorating the front cover. This, together with a pen or crayons, is one of the contents of the comfort packs,” said her granny.

She has been part of the foundation for seven months, and it is her mission to attract more people and children to become volunteers.

“I love to spread love to those who need it without even meeting them. To transform the lives of the less fortunate is just an extraordinary feeling.”

According to her, it can sometimes be challenging being a volunteer as they sometimes run out of goods for the comfort packs.

“It is hard work, but it is all worth it at the end of the day. This is me doing my part of giving back.”

Saydi said that she became more aware of all her blessings through becoming a volunteer.

“To see others suffer is heartbreaking, but through the foundation and my work as a volunteer, we create a little bit of hope and we try to change lives one packet at a time.”

Saydi even took the time to tell her classmates more about the foundation with the permission of her teacher. “I told them about the foundation and what a volunteer does. I also took the chance to ask them for any donations,” said Saydi.

Becoming a volunteer

“I want to share the feeling of caring with others and the foundation needs volunteers and all it takes is a little bit of your time and input,” she said.

Volunteers work accordingly with the Epic Foundation programme and the Alta will keep everyone in the loop through its WhatsApp group.

“This is where we stay informed about everything.

“Come and give your time to support others who do not have the same luxuries as we do. Come and understand the meaning of being grateful for the things in your life. Come and experience that feeling you get when helping others.”

She said that the foundation can help even more people if it gets more volunteers.

Those interested can visit the EPIC Foundation’s website to download the application form.

“They can then fill in the form and email it back to info@epicfoundation.org.za or fax it to 011 209 4176.

Kind-hearted girl with big dreams

Saydi was born at the Clinton Hospital, and she is the oldest of two children. She is currently in Grade Five at Kenton Primary. She is a keen netball player who is responsible for throwing the netball ball through the loop.
When she grows up, she wants to become a teacher just like her teacher, Tazim Wallett.

“The way she teaches inspires me and one day, I also want to educate and inspire others,” she said.

“I have been a hip-hop and tap dancer for the last eight years and it is also one of my dreams to become a dance instructor. Dancing is my escape from reality. It is my happy place.”

Her whole family inspires her as they all play a different role in her life. “They are always there and ready to assist. Nothing is ever too much for them.”

In her spare time, she loves reading, playing the piano and drawing patterns and doodles.

Saydi’s role model is her grandmother. “She is just an exceptional woman. Firstly, she cooks the best spaghetti and she has taught me a lot of things like how to bake, how to cook, how to knit and how to garden.

“Our best time spent together is in the kitchen, baking birthday cakes for family members. My grandmother is just so amazing she is always ready to help and she is very kind.”

Saydi is an introvert who always puts the needs of others first. She enjoys spending time with family and friends.

“She is very kind and ambitious. She has the most beautiful heart, and she is very giving. She will always go the extra mile,” said Mandy.

Something people don’t know about her is that she is scared of snakes and darkness.

She lives by the following life motto, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift.”