Help Woodlands teenager go on international education tour
His parents have since started a BackaBuddy page in the hopes of raising the money. The trip costs about R73 000.
FOR Woodlands lad, Hayden Jennings, who was selected to be a part of the 8th Annual Academic Achievers Tour 2023, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity that cannot be missed.
However, he has to raise almost R73 000 to attend the 12 day educational tour of the USA set to take place in October this year.
His parents have since started a BackaBuddy page in the hopes of raising the money.
The tour, an initiative of Travel and Sport, who are academic and sport school tour specialists, enables learners to visit and attend private lectures at various universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Princeton.
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Jennings, 15, a Grade nine learner at Glenwood High School, was nominated by his Grade 8 teachers and school to be a part of the tour.
Bruce Jennings, his father, said Hayden was given the opportunity because of his academic achievement and his eagerness to learn new skills at school and his future career path.
“He had been picked to develop his skills and fulfill his potential through international exposure on this very unique tour of the USA. We believe if he goes on this tour, it will help him tremendously in his schooling career and then onto his work career in the design and engineering fields.
“We also believe it will open up opportunities later in life that he would have never had if he did go on the tour. He would love to study at MIT and work for Tesla or Nasa or own his own tech company,” he said.
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Jennings said Hayden has overcome many obstacles over the past couple of years and achieved academic success
“He attended a school for children with special needs until Grade four, where they helped him with speech therapy, occupational therapy and anxiety.
“However, he progressed enough which enabled him to get into a mainstream school in Grade 5. In that same year, he achieved his half colours for academics. During Grades six and seven, he went on to achieve academic honours. He has always remained determined to do his best.
“He was also awarded this opportunity of a lifetime due to his dedication and hard work. We cannot let this opportunity to slip away. However, we are unfortunately not in a financial position to pay for this tour and are now reaching out to the public for assistance. It will be highly appreciated,” he said.
For more information or to donate, visit Jennings BackaBuddy page, https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/hayden-jennings.
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