When Joshua Appollis matriculated last year, many of his friends were not able to attend the matric ball due to a lack of finance.
Now, he’s decided to help three teens from Princeton Secondary School make their matric ball, dreams come true.
“Matric balls are a big thing in our communities and every teen is looking forward to their matric ball wanting it to be a night to remember,” said Joshua, who lives in Woodlands. “I have asked my friends and people in my community to help donate dresses, shoes, make-up and accessories. Many of them want to get involved in making the ‘You have a dream’ project a success and putting a smile on a child’s face,” he said.
Joshua would also like to mentor pupils and help them work through past matric exam papers, apply to varsity and colleges and ensure that they attend open days at tertiary education institutions. “I want to grow my project into something big to be able to reach all the schools in Mitchell’s Plain and create the best memories for as many learners as I can,” Joshua told the Plainsman.
Tarryn Daniels, 17, from Woodlands, who is being raised by a single mom who depends on a social grant, said attending a matric ball was a big deal for her as it would be the last time she would get to see her friends together in one place.
“I’ve been planning my matric ball since I was in Grade 8 and I am very grateful for what Joshua is doing for me,” she said.
Eighteen-year-old Tasneem Stewart, from Tafelsig, whose mother is the breadwinner for a family of five, said the matric ball meant a lot to her as she had been planning it since primary school. “I feel great about Joshua’s help as I know my parents can’t afford to take me to the ball,” she said.
Mariah Matomela, 18, who lives with her grandfather and her mother who works piecemeal jobs, said she had never really thought about the matric ball because she knew she wouldn’t have money to attend. “I just want to have a good time with my friends before we all start our new chapters of our lives,”she said.
