New project will produce delicious treats en route to financial independence
An adventurous and exciting new Born in Africa project is being launched at The Market Square on Saturday August 19.
About 50 young learners of the Born in Africa (BIA) programme have decided to tackle a new challenge – that being to accept co-responsibility for certain financial costs in their pursuit of academic excellence, sporting prowess, and cultural perfection.
One of the important principles BIA endeavours to instil in children in their care is that “handouts” are not an option in life. What we need, we work for.
Yet equally as important as instilling this value is providing them with the opportunity of not only developing this attitude in life, but also of making it practically possible to generate the money.
Retired headmaster of Wittedrift High School Andre Bouwer and BIA programme coordinator cum guidance councillor Belinda Coram decided to take it upon themselves to work with the above mentioned young people in pursuance of this challenge.
“Starting this Saturday at 9am, we are going to bake and sell pancakes next to Ruby’s Kisses flower shop at the entrance to Pick n Pay,” says Andre.
“Ruby is a strong supporter of our project, and we thank The Market Square’s centre management for having generously allocated one Saturday per month for us to sell our goods.”
Whatever profits are made during a morning will be equally divided among the children working that day – but only after a 10% deduction has been ploughed back into growing this little “business”.
Important to note, the children will not receive the money in cash after the mornings work, but all monies will be deposited into a “trust” account held by BIA, yet allocated by name to each participant.
In this manner, the chiIdren will be building their savings accounts to be used for various needs and opportunities such as participation at provincial sports meetings, laptops for tertiary studies, and even matric farewell gowns for that special occasion in their lives.
Not only w ill the children be trained in the full process of preparing the batter, baking the pancakes and presenting them for sale, but they will also learn an array of business skills – marketing, selling, stock control, keeping financial records, as well as important imperatives when growing a business.
“We really believe this project will enable our young people to grow financially independent, thus helping to alleviate the financial burden on their families as they need to spend their hard-earned money on so many other necessities.
“We have not doubt that we can rely on the support of our people in Plettenberg Bay, and we look forward to seeing you at our first stall on Saturday August 19!”
Just imagine… while feasting on a delicious pancake, you will be assisting a child to become financially mature and hopefully, eventually, independent. Go get ’em!
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