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, the Trust completes a multi-phase interview process in order to identify appropriate candidates.

• 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.

STUDENT SOCIAL RESPONSOBILITIES

Programme for Social Responsibility and Ethic Education

With the ‘Give Me a Chance’ Children’s Foundation still in its early years of development, past initiatives have focused largely on providing financial assistance to the children sponsored, as well as providing them with a support system on which they can rely. The organization has reached a point in its development, however, where it has identified and prioritized the need to instill in these students a moral obligation to give back to their communities to ensure their positive contribution to the future of South Africa is visible.

The Foundation is certainly not alone in its objectives to help children less fortunate in reaching previously unobtainable goals. It is, however, seemingly alone in its devotion to educating its beneficiaries on their moral obligation as a member of humanity to help others in need and give back to their communities. ‘Give Me a Chance’ feels strongly that each child must have tangible evidence that any one person can make a difference in shaping the world and each individual has a moral obligation to positively contribute to society. The youth of South Africa, especially those from impoverished households, must realize that material goods or an excess of money are not a necessity in giving back to society, you only need time and the will to touch someone’s life in a positive way.

In identifying this need, the Foundation has committed itself to implementing a programme which ensures that its initiatives go beyond financial involvement and instills in the children a sense of social responsibility and leadership skills. The programme will focus on illustrating their role in the community and their obligation to use the opportunities they have received to positively affect the lives of others while highlighting important social issues affecting South African communities. The proposed initiative features a three step programme which encourages the students to become actively involved in contributing to a promising future for South Africa.

For further information about the Social Responsibility Campaign, or to donate funds in support of the project, please contact the Foundation at hope@givemeachance.co.za

Community Involvement Programme

To ensure that our students become actively contributing members of South African Society, we have created the ‘Give Me a Chance’ Community Project Committee. This committee is tasked with identifying a need within their community and putting forth a proposal of how they intend to address that need. The aim of the project is to encourage the students to actively engage their community and recognise their social responsibility to give back to South African society where possible.

To become a mentor or sponsor of an exceptional "Give me a Chance" student, contact the Foundation at (021) 885 1661 or e-mail at hope@givemeachance.co.za

Current Students

Shannon Langeveldt – Grade 8

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.

Bianca Jooste - Grade 10

Bianca is a strong leader and an exceptional student, who strives for excellence in everything she do.  Academically, she’s very strong and a hard worker, earning herself the nr.1 spot in 2010 (Grade 9) - heading in the right direction to get to her very interesting dream to become an astronomer one day.

Yolanda de Koker - Grade 10

Yolanda is a busy girl, involved in various extra-Curricular activities and shows great talent, especially in an art & cultural environment. Notably in her subjects of choice she shows interest in the business world.  She’s a shy girl with a big heart and in her own way, tries to make a contribution to help those who struggle.

Miché Kelly Henkeman

Miché is a hard worker and a dedicated student who have a strong interest towards the different aspects of science. She prefers cultural activities above sports and especially enjoys singing where she participates in different areas.  Miché cares a lot for the people around her and are always willing to help were she’s needed.

Chantelle Davy

Chantelle is a friendly girl who lives up to her daily responsibilities with a smile. She has a soft heart, loves animals and she's always willing to help others. Chantelle enjoys playing outside and participates in various extracurricular activities. She's an enthusiastic netball player, enjoys dancing and has a special interest in music.

Past Students

Brandon Smith –
Grade 9 Centurion High, Pretoria

Brandon is one of two students originally adopted from Stellenbosch Primary and showed an exceptional talent in rugby.  To ensure the maximum exposure and opportunities for him, “Give me a Chance” decided to send Brandon to Paul Roos Gymnasium, where he would have the opportunity to develop to his full potential.

This was decided, funded and driven by the Grey College Paul Roos old boys golf day foundation, with GMAC acting as co sponsor and providing monitoring support to him.

Marco Hendricks –
2nd Year Stellenbosch University / Working in America at the moment

Marco Hendricks has been with ‘Give Me a Chance’ since its inception.  Through his excellence, and the assistance of the ‘Give Me a Chance’ Children’s Foundation, Marco was awarded with the GT Ferreira Bursary to fund his first year at Stellenbosch.

Gloriaan Hendricks - Alumnus

Gloriaan enjoys netball and was acknowledged as the schools best netball player in 2007.  She has been listed as one of the school’s top 10 academics list for four years and hopes her excellence will help her reach her goal of working in medicine.

Marlin Steenberg - Alumnus

Marlin is an exceptional learner and is a proactive individual always looking for opportunities which will help him grow as an individual.  He is interested in rugby and cricket and has been a top player since his first year of high school.

Leandra Jansen - Alumnus

Leandra did very well academically and has continuously displayed an eagerness to reach beyond people’s expectations.  Her discipline and integrity makes her a person who does not accept mediocrity.  She was involved in the school as a member of youth choir and used to be a journalist for the school newspaper.

Jerome Jacobs -Matriculate 2010

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.  He is a soft spoken individual with the ability to stir emotion through his music.

Phozia Haffit - Matriculant 2010

Phozia is a keen volleyball player and has a passion for singing and dancing.  She is a member of her school choir and enjoys being center stage.  Phozia’s aim is to be a doctor so she can contribute to assisting those in her community who are affected by the common social issues of South Africa.

Gwendoline Rodriques – Matriculant 2010

Gwendoline is an accomplished learner and finished Grade 12 in 2010.  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.  Her discipline is visible and her eloquence is a rarity.

Chrisando Skippers - Alumnus

Chrisando enjoys soccer and rugby.  His talent on the soccer field has allowed him to stand out as captain of the under 19 soccer team and awarded him the diploma for best under 19 soccer player. He has also proven to be the best student in his grade. 

Llewellen Roman - Alumnus

Llewellen plays club cricket for the Kylemore community.  He finds school a challenge and tries to benefit from learning every day.  He would like to become an architect and believes that the support of the Trust will help him realize his full potential.

Denzil Swarts - Alumnus

Denzil is a diligent soccer player and would like to pursue a career in the tourism industry.  His dream is to be an asset to his community and a positive influence on people everywhere.

Student Letters 2011

Shannon Langeveldt

Wat kan ek sê van Hoërskool behalwe date ek dit verskriklik geniet.

Wel ek is now plus minus 3maande in 'n nuwe skool, hoërskool wat baie lekker is dit voel vir my soos 'n groot familie, almal elke dag met 'n groot glimlag.

Akedemie en sport is vir my baie belangrik. Ek is ook op die VRL en 'n klasleier. Wat beteken ek moet 'n voorbeeld wees vir die ander in my klas. As ek dit nou self moet sê dink ek dat ek baie mooi by my nuwe skool inpas.

Bianca Jooste

Chantelle Davy

Yolanda de Koker

Miché Kelly Henkeman

Leandra Jansen

Jerome Jacobs

Marlin Steenberg

My jaar sover was baie oorspronklik, as ek dit so mag noem. Dit het sy "op-en-af's" gehad. Dit begin nou stabiliteit kry. Ek kon nie werk kry nie. En tans is in twee tydelike werke. Ek is besig om ervaring op te bou in velde waar ek nooit kon dink ek sou wees nie, en ek geniet dit. Die een werk is Vending Masjiene volpak, en die ander is in die finasiële afdeling by Tokara (dank sy Delarey Brugman en Lee-Anne Stoffberg van Alluvia). Ek is 'n gekwalifiseerde rekenaar tegnikus, en as ek werk kan kry in die rigting sal ek dit enige tyd neem.

Buiten my werks geleenthede het ek besluit dat ek die lewe net gaan geniet. Ek hou my besig met allerhande snaakse dinge, en hou daarvan om met mense te gesels. Goeie geselskap te hê.

My jaar is baie anders sover. Ek kan meer doen as wat as wat ek in vorige jare kon.

Danksy Alluvia en staff is my lewe verander!

Gwendoline Rodriques

Student Letters - Argus experience 2011

Shannon Langeveldt - Argus 2011 ervaring

Eerstens wil ek baie dankie sê aan al die fietsryers wat so braaf was om die Cape Argus te ry.

Ek was so verbaas om te sien heo baie fietsryers daar was wat vir "Give me a Chance" ondersteun het. Dit het my regtig geraak om te sien hoe baie mense ons help en vir ons omgee.

Deur al die sweet en harde werk van die fietsryers weet ek dat hulle dit alles gedoen het, nie omdat hulle moes nie, maar omdat hulle wou. Ek glo dat hulle dit nie alleen kon doen nie, maar met die help van Jesus kon klaarmaak.

Ja, dit is harde werk, maar vir 'n goeie doel. So nogmaals baie, baie DANKIE!

Bianca Jooste - Argus 2011 ervaring

Yolanda de Koker - Argus 2011 ervaring

Miché Kelly Henkeman - Argus 2011 ervaring