"If you want to change the world, start by asking your village for help"

A heartwarming story about a relatively perfect moment

Hold on to your skapies, I’m here because I want to change the world, and I need your help. I am a teacher and student, a farmer and consumer, a chef and foodie, a traveller and homebody, an artist and collector. I believe in the power of community and shared knowledge, so this will be Phase 1 of my plan to assist in my local community.

I found inspiration in Mahatma Gandhi’s words: “If you want to change the world, start with yourself.” So here is how I am changing MY world. I help students in the local town twice a week with their homework in a donation-based class. Like a ‘Freemium’ app, you can donate based on the class’s worth to you and your financial means. Students should have equal opportunities regardless of their caretakers’ financial status. 

Gandhi didn't mention that you need your community’s help to bring ideas to life. Luckily, there’s an African Proverb to guide the way: “It takes a village to raise a child”. 

I want to share a story with you about what led me on this journey to unite a small little town in the middle of nowhere. It’s about an adorably shy 7 year old first grader who has been coming to the homework class I offer at the school. It’s about a boy who changed my life and inspired me to spread more kindness every day. Some of you might be wondering how teaching kids for ‘free’ can change the world; this story will explain just that.

One of the best decisions I made in 2023 was resigning from an international school in the Middle East with almost nothing to fall back on. I didn’t want to be a teacher anymore, so I moved back home, pursued a PMP certificate, and planned on moving into the managerial section of the supplementary education field. I applied for jobs and advertised online tutoring, but nothing felt quite right. However, the process made me even more passionate about education in South Africa. 

I realised that supplementary education is the future. But what about students who can’t afford it or don’t have access to it? With two kids in my first class, I set about changing my world and hopefully theirs. I drove into town twice a week and just helped them in any way I could. And bribed them with candy.

After weeks of teaching, I received a text from a parent that made me feel I had chosen the right path for the first time since quitting my job. I couldn’t make it to town due to a flood and had to cancel my class. Aden, a shy Grade 1 student in my class, was looking forward to the class. I apologised for not being able to make it, and his mom replied (translated from Afrikaans): 

“Shame, we understand, good luck! I will explain to Aden nicely, he has been looking forward to the class so much. He asks me every morning, ‘Is it class today, Mommy?’”

Now I’ll be honest. That morning, I was almost relieved to cancel the class because I hadn’t received any donations despite my efforts. I had spent lots of my own time and resources to start this venture, and felt like it was doomed to fail. That one text made my eyes brim with tears, and Aden’s big hug when he saw me again gave me the perseverance to keep going. I am not going to be able to help every student yet, but I can help Aden. And that is enough.

In our world, money and time has relative value. One person might be able to spend half their salary on the education of their only child and can afford to buy every new gadget on the market, while another parent is working two jobs just to put food on the table for 3 hungry kids. I would like to facilitate a connection between these two extremes and everyone in between. 

I hope Gandhi doesn’t mind me adapting his advice a bit:

“If you want to change the world, start by asking your village for help.”