How the Rally works

Her voice quivered occasionally, and she kept glancing at her mother for reassurance, but Sonique van Wyk couldn’t disguise her pride as she told the audience about her accomplishments. And what wasn’t there to be proud about? Through her own hard work and the generosity of others, Sonique’s life has been transformed. Once a pupil at an under-resourced Western Cape farm school, with little hope of a comprehensive education, today she is a leading pupil at a respected high school, with dreams of university and a successful future.

Sonique with Tille and Brand Pretorius, Rally to READ founding members. Sonique’s audience was a room full of Rally to READ sponsors at the last event of 2018, in the Western Cape. They had gathered for dinner to share their experiences of the day when they had met children, parents and community members at 12 farm schools, delivered portable classroom libraries and provided teacher training resources.

Sonique was proof that what the Rally to READ team were doing, really worked. Rally To READ has been active in the Western Cape for 20 years. For three of those years, one of the schools supported was Jurie Hayes Primary, a rural school near the Langebaanweg Air Force Base. The school has subsequently blossomed thanks to mentoring and support from Rally to READ. Sonique was a star pupil, winning academic and cultural awards. She was also a learner representative on the school governing body. Her family couldn’t afford to send her to Hopefield High School, a leading school in the area, particularly after her mother was retrenched. Hopefield High School stands head and shoulders above the rest of the secondary schools in the area. It regularly boasts a 100% matric pass rate and last year 79% of learners achieved university exemption.

Rally to READ spotted this shining star’s potential and facilitated Sonique’s ambitions by awarding her a full bursary to attend Hopefield High School. The bursary was funded through the legacy left by Rally to READ’s founding members, Brand and Tillie Pretorius, nearly three decades ago. It covers Sonique’s school fees, stationery and book requirements, school uniform and transport.

Now in grade 10, Sonique is an all-rounder, singing in the choir, playing netball and winning top honours in English and Afrikaans at the regional Eisteddfod. Sonique’s family is bowled over by Rally to READ’s positive effect on her life, and they’re confident she will continue to thrive.

The name Lucia Shungube is a name that stands out in Rally to Read history. As principal of Mbuzini Primary School in a remote area of Mpumalanga, Mrs Shungube jumped at the chance of being involved in the Rally to Read Project in 2014. She eagerly accepted every opportunity to attend the training on offer, and her staff members and the learners caught her vision.

Mbuzini Primary School reaped the rewards, with remarkable achievements in reading and speech competitions, and their principal’s efforts did not go unnoticed. It came as no surprise to us that this ‘beacon of literacy’ achieved first place at district level and provincial levels in the 2015 National Teachers’ Awards.

Mrs Shungube was subsequently featured in an SABC2 show entitled ‘The Mother of all Professions’ and her little school had its time to shine on national television. When asked what the secret of her school’s academic success was, she didn’t hesitate to mention one of our dedicated Rally to Read trainers, Mrs Ellen Dlamini, along with the Rally to Read donors and programme hosts.

Stories like these keep us doing what we do. Knowing that Rally to Read makes a real difference in the lives of those who need it most, is our heartbeat.

Last year, Rally to READ featured the feel-good story of Sonique; a pupil from an under-resourced Western Cape farm school, who received a full bursary to attend a top high school, facilitated by Rally to READ. It all came about through Rally to READ’s 3-year association with Jurie Hayes Primary School, which subsequently blossomed thanks to mentoring and resources received. The Team couldn’t help but notice star performer Sonique, who consistently won cultural and academic awards. After the pupil’s mom was retrenched, all hopes of Sonique attending the well-known Hopefield High School were dashed. Through Rally to READ Sonique’s dream became reality when she was awarded a full bursary to attend Hopefield. This bursary covers school fees, stationery, book requirements, uniform and transport.

The story doesn’t end there! Sonique’s performance has caught the eye of the Inhlakanipho Education & Development Trust(IEDT). After her mom completed an IEDT bursary application form, the Rally to READ team forwarded all Sonique’s reports, a testimonial from Hopefield’s principal, and a letter of recommendation. Subsequently Sonique and her mom attended an hour-long interview, and a week later we heard the great news: Sonique was awarded a bursary which will cover various fees including her hostel accommodation and a mentor where needed. She will also be invited to attend an annual IEDT Leadership Camp in Johannesburg.

The IEDT connection is greatly treasured as there are future opportunities for university sponsorships. Another huge benefit for our young go-getter is an agreement between IEDT and Old Mutual’s Imfundo Trust: if Sonique continues to perform at such a high level, she could become eligible for an Imfundo Tertiary Education Scholarship to cover the cost of Tuition and Accommodation at a South African university of her choice!

Now in Grade 11, Sonique continues to shine at Hopefield High. She has taken to hostel life like a fish to water. Being on school grounds all week makes it far easier for Sonique to participate in sporting, academic and cultural activities. She travels home by bus to see her family on weekends.

As Sonique’s light shines, so Rally to Read’s legacy shines on.