OUR GRADUATES NADINE CARYN KHOTOO Class of 2009 Educator Nadine was the Head Girl at Christel House SA in 2009. She endured many challenges as a child but with the help of Christel House SA and her parents, she has excelled. She studied Early Childhood Development at the University of the Western Cape and is currently working as a Grade 4 Educator. Nadine says that she was inspired by the awesome teachers at Christel House SA. She says ,“The teachers were way more than just teachers. They treated me like one of their kids. They went above and beyond and I’m forever grateful.” She adds that the Career Development programme also helped tremendously by assisting her with applying to university, providing a stipend and checking in on her regularly to provide support and guidance.
18 | CHRISTEL HOUSE SA 2021 ANNUAL REPORT
According to Statistics SA (2021), approximately 66,5% of our youth are unemployed and 3,4 million of our 10 million youth are not in employment or studying. Of those who have a degree, 12,5% are unemployed – proving that the chance of employment significantly increases with a degree.
NATHAN DANIELS Class of 2015 Medical student at Stellenbosch University Nathan started at Christel House SA in Grade 1 and matriculated in 2015. He is currently a final year medical student at Stellenbosch University. Nathan says that the circumstances he faced, including poverty, crime and violence in his neighbourhood, posed so many risks to him and his family. He is grateful for the opportunity Christel House SA afforded him so that he could pursue his dreams. “My experience at Christel House has literally been life changing. In hindsight, I can say that I would not be at this point without the help of the school. Receiving a dedicated education from world class educators and having the opportunity to follow my dreams has been a major highlight for me. I would like to thank past and current staff, board members and donors for helping me get to this point.”
ANGELIQUE BLAAUWCHIROPA Class of 2009 Senior Accounting Clerk at the Department of Human Settlements Angelique grew up in Hanover Park, a high-crime area on the Cape Flats. Her father passed away when she was just 12 years old and she grew up in a single-headed house where her mom worked longer hours to support the family. Angelique says she has many fond memories of her time at Christel House SA, but the two she really cherishes was being selected to attend a Culver Summer Camp in America and her Grade 12 year. She says, “During final matric examinations, teachers accommodated us in their own homes to provide us with a conducive study environment. It really shows the teachers’ commitment to help us succeed and their unselfish hearts. ” Angelique completed a Bookkeeping course and currently works as a Senior Accounting Clerk in the public sector.
MUJAAHID GEORGE Class of 2016 Community Service Dentist at the Northern Cape Department of Health Mujaahid was born and raised in Hanover Park and joined Christel House SA in Grade 2. He was fortunate to have been in an environment which promoted healthy competition, both at home and at Christel House SA. He says that everything Christel House provided him with allowed him to improve his life, from things like having access to medical support to the networking opportunities he received. He recently completed his studies at UWC and is now a qualified Dentist. He says, “Christel House SA provided me with the appropriate support to fulfil its purpose of breaking the cycle of poverty. I’ve truly been fortunate to be a part of this organisation and I shall be eternally grateful.”
