IT enthusiast’s study dreams realised

AFTER noticing Elsies River resident Reno Stander frequenting the I-Can Centre for free digital training, the centre manager spoke to him and discovered he was attending classes to self-train in IT, because he couldn’t afford the cost of a college.

Centre manager Llewellyn Scholtz said Stander spoke of his desire to work in IT, but as the fourth child of a single mother he knew he couldn’t afford to study and took matters into his own hands.

“He shared his personal challenges and past experience of how he lost his father at a young age and felt directionless. His mother did not work after the passing of his father, which left Renzo in a difficult situation to further his studies,” said Scholtz.

“He knew studying in that field could be very costly so he enrolled for free courses on a Friday frequently at the I-Can Centre. (We) started a process to fund Renzo studies to become an IT technician.”

Scholtz, with other donors, handed over

HE SHARED HIS PERSONAL CHALLENGES AND PAST EXPERIENCE OF HOW HE LOST HIS FATHER AND FELT DIRECTIONLESS

a 100% bursary to Stander to study at an institute of his choice.

Sonic Wireless chief executive James Wilkinson gave Stander an internship opportunity at his company after his studies were completed.