Bright Mind

Thalente is 16 years old and is an amazing child. I first met him in 2013 in KwaNyuswa (Valley of 1000 Hills, KwaZulu Natal) whilst I was working for Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust as the Children's Program Manager. At that stage, he was living with his "gogo" (granny) and attending a local rural school. What struck me about Thalente was his incredible intelligence, his determination and his will to succeed no matter what it took. He was always the child who would sit quietly in the corner, in his beautiful uniform (which he washed and ironed himself), and answer the most complex of questions very humbly. He was unique.

Over the years I have watched him blossom. He was blessed to be awarded a scholarship to Adams College in Amazimtoti through an amazing organisation called "Imbeleko". He has grabbed this opportunity with two hands and has performed exceptionally well. He is currently in Grade 11 and a boarder and starting to stumble with a few subjects though. Although he remains one of the top students, he desperately wants to achieve outstanding marks for Grade 11 and 12. He puts in hours of work daily and over the weekend but he would really benefit from extra lessons - it would really give him the edge that he so badly wants and deserves.

Thalente's dream is to study Biological engineering which will require him to have a high A aggregate for Grade 11 (he will apply with these marks). He is absolutely capable of this. Thalente has the determination, intellect and support to achieve his dreams but we are desperately trying to find a way to assist him with extra lessons. His school has a "relationship" with Bright Minds who present extra lessons to learners 7 days a week based at school. The cost is R750 per month. We would love to bless him with extra lessons until the end of the year (R750 x 9 months remaining = R6750). Once we can see how it goes, we can look at fundraising again for his matric year.

Myself and my family (immediate and extended) support him and he often comes home to us on weekends or school holidays. Thalente is a joy to have. We just cant manage to find an extra R750 per month. If you have it on your heart to support a worthy cause, please make a donation of any size. Every R1 counts. You can be assured that Thalente will embrace this opportunity and do us all proud.

We keep on telling him that no matter his background or the challenges he has faced...together he will achieve his dreams. His happiness and success matters to us.