Julie Jacobs – Concordia High in Knysna

A last moment call to help Julie Jacobs, a learner at Concordia High School, was met with an overwhelming positive response on our Facebook, raising, in a few hours, more than double what was needed – R1070.

Julie came first in her Grade 10 class at Hornlee Secondary last year. The top 10 get to go on an educational tour, at month end, to Cape Town where they’ll visit universities, stay on the Bellville Campus and get to visit fun places like Canal Walk.

I know Julie through Love Knysna Projects’ relationship with Judah Square, Knysna’s wonderful Rastafari community. She was one of the teens that the Lost Plot sponsored tickets for the Just Jinjer show and she joined us for the SAMSA Sea Pledge. Julie, along with her friend Tania, also undertook a census of the Judah Square community for me. Her sisters, Isis and True, have been on other trips with us (Knysna Elephant Park and Bollard Bay picnic).

On Saturday morning, i had breakfast at 34 Degrees South with Julie Jacobs (17), her mom, Vivian, and her sister, Isis (14).

This was Julie’s and Isis’ first time eating in a restaurant despite living here their whole lives. We were there for 2 hours. They loved it! I have to set up more Eat & Smiles.

I never told them that there was considerably extra money raised until we finished as my goal was to suss Julie’s needs and situation.

Julie may have come first last year but she admitted that her marks had dropped this year and that she was, especially, battling with maths. A major cause was her switching schools (languages and racial demographics, from Hornlee Secondary to Concordia High). She also said half the school isn’t there to learn and that it interrupts the teaching. She expressed a desire for teachers to offer after-hour lessons for those who want to learn.

Her sister and her do not have the official school socks, tie jersey or blazer.  Because of the latter two, Julie has gone cold this winter. However, after i told them about the extra cash, despite being very excited, the only thing Julie asked for was a tie. But her mom and i “sorted” her out:)

The sponsorship easily covered the shortfall for the tour. We then went to Kay’s Wholesaler’s and ordered socks, pantyhose and a jacket (the latter will be shared by her and her sister).

I’ve then offered to give Julie basic computer lessons so that she’s more comfortable with the PC. I’ve said it will be a trade i.e. now that Judah Square has a computer (i loaded open source software this week and sourced a monitor), she must help them digitize their written documents. She must also complete small assignments for me. This will happen in the forthcoming holidays. We have kept back R130 for transport.

That left R100 which Julie will use in a venture with a friend to make koeksisters to sell so as to raise spending money for her trip to Cape Town.

Raising money was ahead of LKP intentions as that was only on the cards for next year when a system was in place and i, hopefully, had helpers but the situation warranted it and the incredible people on our Facebook made it a success.