When Jay-Lee’s primary school shut its doors for good, many farm children like her were faced with uncertainty. But something incredible happened in the nick of time. And without it, Jay-Lee may never have become the young adult on her way to becoming a teacher!
Overberg, South Africa (01 May 2025) — At just 18 years old, Jay-Lee is an inspiring example of resilience, ambition, and quiet determination. Born and raised on Diepgat Farm, she has one older and one younger brother and lives with her family in the close-knit farming community she has always called home.
Jay-Lee had attended the local government school, Diepgat Primary. However, when she was 12, Diepgat Primary officially closed due to funding issues.
Just like that, the educational future of many children from nearby farms, including Jay-Lee, was left anxiously uncertain.
However, it did not last long, thanks to NPO, the Pebbles Project, which stepped in and established the Pebbles Academy. The Pebbles Academy is an independent school providing quality education to children from Grade R to Grade 7 from around 40 neighbouring farms, including Diepgat. For many young learners, the Academy has been a lifeline. For Jay-Lee, it quickly became more than just a school and, rather, a second home.
“It was amazing,” she reflects. “The staff at the Academy were always so friendly. And even to this day, they are willing to help us where they can.”
There were teachers at the Academy who left a deep impression on Jay-Lee. Their passion for education and their care for the learners sparked something in her, something that would end up shaping the dreams she had for her future.
“They made me want to be a teacher. I saw how they inspired us, and I want to do the same for others.”
After finishing high school (in the top five of her class, no less), Jay-Lee was accepted to university but had to postpone her studies due to financial challenges. Instead, she made the decision to work and save for her studies, taking a job as a hospitality host at a local winery.
“It was out of my comfort zone,” she admits. “I’ve never found it easy to speak up or interact with people. But just a few months in, I feel more confident and see this as preparation for becoming a teacher,” a positive Jay-Lee adds.
Her family couldn’t be prouder. “My parents sometimes feel disheartened that they can’t always support me financially in the way they wish they could. But their love and encouragement have never once wavered.”
When asked what Pebbles Project means to her, Jay-Lee speaks with quiet conviction:
“Without Pebbles, I honestly wouldn’t be where I am now. When Diepgat Primary closed, they were there. No one expected it, and no one knew what to do, but Pebbles did. They came to save us.”
The Pebbles Project team is immensely proud of Jay-Lee’s perseverance and strength, sharing that they know she will go on to achieve her dream of becoming a teacher and ultimately inspire the next generation just as she was once inspired.
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