Bursary trust gets a website
THE Mitchells Plain Bursary and Role Trust launched its website yesterday to help create awareness of opportunities for pupils and to attract sponsorship.
The trust was founded in 2011 by former minister in the presidency Trevor Manuel, when he was the suburb’s MP. It was launched as a partnership with schools and organisations.
Manuel mooted the establishment of the trust because many families could not afford to send their children to colleges and universities.
The trust has given bursaries worth R1 million to 83 Mitchells Plain high school pupils since its inception.
Bursary recipient Carla Lindt is studying for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of the Western Cape. She lives in Beacon Valley with her aunt and uncle. Her dream is to be a teacher and a psychologist.
On the website, Lindt said she is thankful for getting a bursary that has helped pay her tuition fees.
“People out there work hard and still do not get the opportunity I have received. I am grateful.
“This is making a huge difference in my life by helping me obtain my goal to make something of myself despite my circumstances.
“It motivates me to do better, because there are people who care and who believe that I can do it.”
The trust assists with regis- tration and/or tuition fees for pupils who want to study at recognised tertiary institutions such as Cape Peninsula University of Technology, UWC, UCT, Stellenbosch University and Further Education and Training Colleges.
Bursaries are normally up to R20 000 for the first year, and many of the students go on to get financial assistance from other organisations.
Lindt and other recipients have to speak at their former schools once a year to motivate others, to establish or strengthen the school’s alumni association and to start tutoring programmes at their school with the support of NGOs working in the sector.
Yesterday’s website launch is the beginning of a fund-raising campaign to get corporates and individuals to contribute to the trust so that more Mitchells Plain high school pupils can access tertiary education.
Manuel said the trust is worthy of support from communities and corporates.
“The website www.mpbursarytrust.org.za will provide prospective students and their parents with relevant information to take advantage of the opportunities which the trust and its sponsors/supporters are offering.
“We will also shortly embark on a major fundraising drive and will use our new website as a tool to encourage potential donors.”
Go to www.mpbursarytrust.org.za to find out more.