Teen’s charity needs donations

A 16-year-old Sans Souci Girls’ High School pupil who has started a charity to help struggling families needs donations of essential goods.

Isabella Dawood, of Newfields, was elected as a junior councillor for the City of Cape Town last year and was tasked with running a project in her community. She started Glimpse of Hope, providing those in need with basic necessities.

She started the NPO in October and with end-of-year exams and the festive season behind us, the Grade 11 hopes to pick up momentum and help as many families as she can before her term in the junior council comes to an end in April.

“My team and I are a group of students and because we do not have jobs we are unable to buy goods for the project. We are asking the public for donations while trying to create awareness of our organisation,” she said.

So far, they have assisted one family with a food parcel and donated books to Roots of Knowledge, a project based in Pelican Park.

Fellow junior council member and founder of Roots of Knowledge, Inathi Kente, said they were thankful for the donation as every bit helped.

Isabella’s school has helped by allowing donations to be dropped off there, advertising on its social media and putting up posters around the school.

Juggling her school work, junior council work and all her extramural activities on top of her charity will be tough, but Isabella said she was committed to making it work.

Since being on the junior council, Isabella said she had learnt more about life, improved her communication skills and grown more confident.

Shereen Caduff, Grade 11 head at Sans Souci, encouraged Isabella to apply for the junior city council due to her involvement in various projects at school, such as the Young Environmental Society, recycling programmes and fund-raising.

“She always goes above and beyond expectations and follows through on projects to their conclusion. She has shown great leadership potential since joining Sans Souci in Grade 8.

“Isabella lives the motto of our school ‘to be of service’. She is a great role model and example to the youth of someone who achieves great things simply with determination and drive.”

Isabella’s mother, Samantha, said they were proud of her achievements.

“Since joining Sans Souci Girls, she has changed into a beautiful, confident, determined and inspired young lady, who is always thinking of the well-being of others and does not shy away from any challenge.”

Donations can be dropped at Sans Souci during school hours or contact Isabella at hope.info@gmail.com