STUDENT SELECTION

We at the ‘Give Me a Chance’ Children’s Foundation pride ourselves in the personal manner in which we select our beneficiaries. To ensure that the students selected are suitable representatives of the Foundation’s objectives Trust Director, Katherine Berchulski, completes a multi-phase interview process in order to identify appropriate candidates. The interview process is as follows:

  • Liaise with school administration to identify seven to ten candidates from each school
  • Based on academic records, interview three to four students from initial list
  • Interview parents of candidates

Basis for School Referral:

Initial identification of candidates takes place by referral of the school’s administration. ‘Give Me a Chance’ holds an initial meeting with the school’s principal whereby a list of seven to ten students are recommended based on the following criteria:

  • Academic records
  • Extra-curricular accolades, and of course
  • The families financial standing

Student Interviews:

After reviewing each student’s records the list is cut to three or four and interviews are then arranged with the candidates for the second phase of the selections process. Potential students are interviewed with particular emphasis is placed on the following criteria:

  • Future ambitions
  • Leadership skills
  • Morals and values
  • Aspirations to better their community

Parent Interviews:

It is very important that in addition to interviewing candidates thoroughly, we also take the initiative to interview each student’s parents. The ultimate goal of this phase is to ensure that the values we instill in our beneficiaries are upheld in their home life.

Once interviews have been completed the newest beneficiaries of the ‘Give Me a Chance’ Children’s Foundation are selected. It is important to note that while academic excellence is the initial identifying factor for selection, a majority of the students are selected on the basis of their overall excellence of character.


CURRENT (2009)

Marco Hendricks –
1st Year Stellenbosch University

Marco Hendricks has been with ‘Give Me a Chance’ since its inception. He has recently started his first year studying accounting at the University of Stellenbosch.


Gloriaan Hendricks - Grade 12

Gloriaan enjoys netball and was acknowledged as the schools best netball player in 2007.


Marlin Steenberg - Grade 12

Marlin is interested in rugby and cricket. His leadership skills placed him in the position of Head of the VRL youth club in 2005 and 2008.


Leandra Jansen - Grade 12

Leandra is first in her class. She is now involved in the school and is a member of youth choir and is a journalist for the school newspaper.


Jerome Jacobs - Grade 11

Jerome has a love for cricket and soccer. At a young age, Jerome became a talented trumpet player and his talent has gained recognition throughout the community. His passion for music drives his ambition to one day become a professor of music.


Phozia Haffit - Grade 11

Phozia is a keen volleyball player and has a passion for singing and dancing. She is a member of her school choir. Her motivation for learning is to become a doctor so she can help people.


Gwendoline Rodriques – Grade 11

Gwendoline is our newest student from Kylemore High School and is an accomplished learner. She has remained at the top of her class year after year and is determined to study diligently so she may follow her dreams of studying business law.


Brandon Smith – Grade 7

Brandon is one of two students recently adopted from Stellenbosch Primary. He is a strong rugby player and received provincial colours at age 11. While he enjoys sport, he has managed to maintain an impressive academic record proving that he is a well rounded and diligent pupil.


Shannon Langeveldt – Grade 6

Shannon is the second of two students recently adopted from Stellenbosch Primary. She is an exceptional learner, as well as an accomplished sportswoman. She was recently nominated for provincial colours in Netball and holds that as her proudest moment.