2010 Mentees
Wilson Johnson, 22
I came to the School of Hope because I wanted to change and I couldn’t read. I hope to study when I’m done with school and work in a professional position. I also want to study in the USA. I dream of being in my professional position in HR, traveling around the world and see what I can do to better myself and the lives of other people.
Thoriq Taylor, 22
I hope to finish school and study further, so that I can give back to the school for being there for me. I dream of being the owner of a big company and to inspire the youth.
Noxolo Mdingi, 21
I was raised by my grandparents because my mother ran away from home. The event that changed my life is when I got raped. Before I came to the School of Hope, I wanted to drop out of school because I never had a hope of finishing school. I hope to [finish] school and make something of my life and also help those people who don’t have hope. I dream of becoming a Social Worker.
Nigel Prins, 21
My childhood and young life was hard, very hard because of all the abuse I saw. The event that changed my life is a house party because after the party I stopped with the drugs, all the drugs. Before I came to the School of Hope, I was slow in my reading and writing but now, “I feel like I’m on top of the world.” Small things inspire me because I never had anything of my own growing up.
Namhla Naka, 20
My biggest challenge was failing grade 11 twice, but I hope to achieve all my dreams and hopes for the future, which includes going to university. I dream of having a business and becoming a big TV star.
Meghan Martin, 16
My family was very different than before the split between my parents. Before I came to the School of Hope, I dropped out of school to look after my father and little sister. I came to the School of Hope because I knew education is important and to go anywhere in life it was your ticket to enter. I hope to have my own house, be a successful young woman and have my own car. I dream of getting married one day.
Masakane Mndende, 21
My family was a big family but now they are scattered and they are very poor. The event that changed my life is when I got stabbed by gangsters, trying to take my phone. Before I came to the School of Hope, I was in need of getting an education and a family. I hope to achieve my dream of finishing school and having a brighter future. I’d like to open my own restaurant - featuring fusion cuisine and live music/entertainment.
Manhino Dias, 20
I dream of buying my mom a new house and taking my music to another level. I want to pass matric, put an album out, and study sound engineering. I’m also interested in social work - I grew up in shelters and it’s helped me. I understand it - there’s a lot I can teach and give in that area.
Lunga Mdingi, 19
I hope to finish school and go to college and make my mom proud of me. I dream of having a car, buying a house for my mother and paying school fees for my sister and brother.
Khumbula Mndende, 20
I’m a person who wants to strive for success; my motivation is to be a person to make a difference in my family.
Jacobus Jooste, 22
I dream of being a Navy Diver, so that I can teach others to swim too.
Gabriel Tondwa, 19 I want to further my studies. I hope to provide for my family and relatives and also give back to the world. Quitting is being selfish. I have a responsibility. One day if I have kids, I want to make their [lives] better.
