Faahkir Bestman has earned a scholarship to the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in New York, but he needs a helping hand to get to the big city.
Johannesburg, South Africa (13 January 2023) – The Johannesburg Youth Ballet is incredibly proud of Faahkir Bestman, who recently matriculated from the National School of the Arts (NSA) and earned himself a scholarship at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York.
The local youth ballet has organised a crowdfund to help cover the costs of getting to New York and has raised over R77,000 towards the goal of R100,000.00. The funds will cover what his scholarship does not, namely plane tickets, medical insurance, dance gear, clothes for a New York winter, a new suitcase and a duffel bag.
“Once dubbed Hanover Park’s Billy Elliot, Faahkir caught the eye of Abeedah Medell of the famed Eoan Group when he was only eight years old. Abeedah gave him his formative training and encouraged him to dream beyond his reality. In no time at all, the soulful youngster was bravely saying that he wanted to dance on the big stages of the world. When he was twelve, Faahkir won the inaugural Christopher Kindo scholarship, allowing him to accept a place at The National School of the Arts in Johannesburg. Intocast SA (Pty) Ltd then covered all his expenses through High School.”
The youth ballet will be managing the funds which will be used to get him to New York in January. He is due to leave on the 17th of January 2023. His student visa was approved, and now he is almost ready to get going. The outstanding funding is still needed however, they have now been able to cover the most vital costs of getting Faahkir to New York.
“It has been my great privilege to look after Faahkir during his five-year journey through the National School of the Arts. The next step he takes will determine so much of his future journey. I know that together we can fly Faahkir to the Joffrey Ballet in New York!” – Brenda Sakellarides
You can support Faahkir’s dream by donating via BackaBuddy here. The Youth Ballet is a registered NPC with public benefit status, so you will be able to request a Section 18 A certificate for tax purposes.
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