Diego is the first in his family to go to university and after waiting for 6 months he is finally ready to move into a room at a student house close to a university, only a 20-minute walk to his classes. This is another first. The first time away from home, on his own. This experience would never have been possible without the dedication of his mom Elizabeth, father Anthony, the support of community members and personal sacrifice.
Diego grew up in Hangberg, a harbour community in Hout Bay and with the help of the Bright Start Education Support Programme, his educational journey started in 2008 at Kronendal Pre-Primary.
Over the years he discovered his gift for soccer and a hunger for knowledge. In Grade 9 at Camps Bay High, he excelled in soccer and academics. Diego played for Camps Bay Football Club and was awarded Player of the Season and Player’s Player of the season in 2016. In 2017 he played in a team above his age level and won Most Promising Young Player of the Season. In June 2019 he toured Italy as part of the Isimemo saseKapa soccer squad.
Diego ranked in the Top 20 of the Camps Bay High School Matric Class of 2021 and received A’s in Afrikaans, Maths, History and Life Orientation. But this achievement did not come without personal sacrifice. During his Grade 11 year, Diego decided to put his soccer-playing days on hold to focus on his academic future.
“Bright Start helped me see and shape my future, and with their help, I am realising my end goal – to succeed by getting the education I need to have a brighter future. I have so much gratitude to my family, Bright Start and my sponsors for helping me get here.”
His aspiration for the future is to continue bettering his life and the life of his family. It is also his wish to share his experience with the younger Bright Start learners and to be an inspiration to them.
Every R2,500 raised will give a matric learner one month’s educational support and academic intervention needed to prepare for and write a successful final exam.
Your donation will offer:
- Daily after-school care
- Access to internet and computers at the learning centre
- Homework supervision & additional study materials
- Education interventions & Academic support
- Mentorship support to prepare for the big exams
- Safe and Reliable Transport to school, the learning centre and back home.
Target: R7,500 will help prepare 3 matric learners for their final exams in November.
Visit https://brightstart.org.za for more information.
