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Thaakirah Baradien has had her school fees for the year paid for as part of Shoprite’s “Class of 2016” initiative.
The annual competition is open to all school-going pupils (Grades 1 to 12) across the country and will see more than 420 of them have their annual school fees paid for the year.
Baardien (9), attends Habiba Primary School in Rylands and dreams of becoming a teacher herself when she grows up.
For her mother Kareema, the prize has changed their lives.
“As a parent you want to give your child the best, but that is not always possible. You stress and you worry about money but you do it in silence. This has been such a blessing and has really impacted on our lives. Thaakirah is such a generous, kind and compassionate little girl who loves school,” she exclaims.
Shoprite invited pupils to submit a short essay or drawing that best describes what they want to be when they grow up. Winners are chosen through a random draw by representatives from every Shoprite store across the country, with the winning learners’ school fees paid up in full for the entire year. Additionally, each winner receives the equivalent amount in vouchers that they can use for school stationary and other necessary educational items.
Now in its 10th year, the “Class of” initiative has already paid more than R3.5m school fees, empowering learners and their families each year with the gift of education without having to worry about the burden of rising school fees.
Neil Schreuder, marketing director of Shoprite, describes the company’s view on education as being a liberator.
“It creates economic freedom and enables people to reach their full potential in life. As an organisation we recognise the enormous value of investing in education and giving young people the opportunity to learn, to obtain a qualification and to acquire the skills needed to gain employment. Shoprite’s ‘Class of’ competition is really more about inspiring learners to dream than anything else. We challenge them to dream big because we believe that if we nurture those dreams and create the educational opportunities by providing the necessary financing, these children can realise those dreams.”
