Pebbles Project is a non-profit organisation in Stellenbosch that enriches the lives of disadvantaged farm children and families through education. Operating throughout the Western Cape, we've been changing lives for 20 years. This #wineforgood month, we're sharing the stories of beneficiaries who we have supported from infancy right through to adolescence. Today, they're self-sufficient and confident young adults who are ready to take on the world! We start with Jamie-Lee's story:
Jamie-Lee Plaatjies grew up on Bellevue Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, where she attended the Pebbles Project After School Club. She participated in various recreational activities that were offered as part of the School Enrichment Programme (SEP). She really enjoyed art lessons and learning how to sew. Going on social excursions was another highlight for her. "We oncewent on an excursion to the Waterfront," she remembers. "I was terrified of water, but I ended up enjoying it so much and overcame my fear that day. We went out on a boat, it was an incredible experience…"
Jamie-Lee didn’t always know what she wanted to be when she grew up. She grappled with the idea of becoming a teacher one day, but she wasn’t entirely certain. She went on to study Assistant Management at Boland College, but soon realised that it wasn’t the direction she wanted to go into.
A social worker at Pebbles Project discussed options with Jamie-Lee and arranged for her to work at the Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre at Bellevue. Jamie-Lee fell in love with the children and with teaching: "The more I learned about teaching, the more I became interested in pursuing it as a career. It was then that I realised: This is what I want to do with my life."
The Pebbles social worker helped Jamie-Lee to enroll and obtain a bursary to study the Educare Level 5 course at Bergzicht Training Centre. Jamie-Lee completed the course and was offered the position of Grade R Facilitator at Pebbles Project. Jamie-Lee loves working at Pebbles: "I love working with the children!"
Jamie-Lee inspires the Bellevue farm community, especially the children. "Every time I visit the After School Club on my farm, the children pretend to be me. When they role play, I’ve heard them say: 'I am teacher Jamie.' It’s wonderful to know that they look up to me," she says.
"Pebbles Project really means a lot to me. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to get through everything in my life and be where I am today. They supported me financially, by financing my studies. They also supported me emotionally and guided and motivated me to follow my dreams."
There are plenty of good news stories from the South African Winelands. The #wineforgood campaign, launched by wine.co.za in June 2016, is all about sharing these positive and uplifting stories. We dedicate the month of April to our #wineforgood campaign each year, sharing a good news story every day. Join us in spreading the good news about South African wine. If you'd like to submit a story, please email editor@wine.co.za.