GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — Lee-Anne Macpherson, a charted accountant working for Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwP), would like to give back to disadvantaged learners in her hometown of Graaff-Reinet.
She attended Kroonvale Primary School, and through her academic and sporting excellence, she was able to attend Hoër Volkskool, where she did exceptionally well.
"After completing Grade 12, I could not afford to go and study, had no bursary, no accommodation, no books," said Lee-Anne. "All I had was love, support, pocket money and a supportive family".
She managed to get into NMU in Port Elizabeth, getting an Investec award in her first year, and then a NSFAS loan and Thuthuka until she finished at university.
Now employed by PwC, she has had experiences that she could only dream about while growing up, such as flying to different cities and staying in hotels. Through hard work and determination, she has many achievements under her belt, including being nominated for the best manager award in 2017 and winning the PwC Africa Experience award in 2017.
She is now married to her very supportive husband and wishes to share her experience and skills with others in her community.
Using the Lee-Anne Bursary Fund, she plans to scout Grade 11 learners in Spandau, Asherville and Nqweba secondary schools, and mentor and coach them through their matric year. There will be the opportunity for them to shadow work on her career, and they will receive assistance with entrance to higher education.
A Father's Day Breakfast was held last Saturday, 16 June, at the Drostdy Hotel. The cost of the breakfast was covered by private sponsors, and fifty fathers were invited, including local school teachers.
All were asked to wear a dash of yellow and white, in support of her sunflower logo. The motto of the fund is "a coin towards a child's future", and the acronym GROW stands for Guidance, Realising dreams, Opportunities and Working together, with the community.
At the breakfast, Lee-Anne explained the concept of her fund to the guests, and received a great deal of positive feedback. Membership of the fund costs R50 per month, and as well as contributing to the bursary fund, members will get exclusive rights to future functions. A R5 raffle was held with books as prizes, and this was drawn at the function. Anyone who would like further information can contact Lee-Anne on 076 204 6789.
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