Two cousins have teamed up to help make the dream of securing a school bus for a youth care centre in Athlone a possibility!
Cape Town, South Africa (07 April 2024) — Husain Badroodeen and his cousin Irshaad Arieff have high hopes to transform the lives of vulnerable children in Athlone by making transport for a special youth centre that much easier.
Each of the duo have their own connections to social upliftment—Husain is the Data Science lead at crowdfunding platform BackaBuddy, and Irshaad lost his own father at a young age, which turned into an empathetic calling to help orphans and vulnerable youth; one of the reasons the Realistic Child and Youth Care Centre (RCYCC) based in Athlone, found its way into the cousin’s lives.
Together, the two have an immediate dream is to secure a school bus for the 30 children under the care of Solomon Madikane at the Centre. This would help one of the biggest challenges faced by RCYCC—the difficulty of transporting children to school with only a small car available.
“I believe every child deserves an equal opportunity to live out and fulfil their dreams,” Irshaad shared. “This initiative is just one step towards changing the lives of many children at Realistic,” he adds.
For over two decades, RCYCC has been a pillar of support for vulnerable children, offering residential care and a nurturing environment. Founded in 2004 by Solomon Madikane, the center took over from St. Francis Children’s Home, continuing and enhancing the care for vulnerable children and accommodating up to 42 residents.
Solomon Madikane, a passionate advocate for youth development, has dedicated more than 15 years to combating challenges like recidivism, substance misuse, and social crime. He works tirelessly with young South Africans, helping them break free from cycles of drugs, crime, and imprisonment.
However, the centre’s lack of transportation has significantly hindered the children’s access to education and opportunities.
To mitigate this, Irshaad and Husain have initiated a crowdfunding campaign to provide RCYCC with a much-needed school bus.
“The school bus will significantly impact the children’s daily lives and future ambitions at Realistic. It will give them confidence, knowing they have a reliable way to attend school and extracurricular activities, which are currently beyond their reach. Moreover, it will enable the organization of excursions and fun events, allowing the children to explore Cape Town and broaden their horizons,” Husain explained.
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The campaign is gaining momentum, having raised over R13,200 toward the ultimate target of R550,000. Each donation brings RCYCC closer to acquiring the school bus and securing a brighter future for the children.
“I want to thank those considering contributing and emphasize the lasting impact this will have on the orphans’ lives and society. Supporting this campaign will enable all current and future children at Realistic to travel safely to school, helping them realize their dreams. We’re aiding the future leaders of South Africa in achieving their educational aspirations, making South Africa a better place,” Irshaad expressed with gratitude.
You can support the school bus campaign here.
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