February 2023
There were proud moments at grower partner, Doornkraal farm, in the Witzenberg valley in February. We visited Doornkraal with a team from exporter Green Marketing and Ceres-based Good Hope Fruit, and while we were on the farm we were told about Stephanie Snyers.
Stephanie, who attended the partial care facility on Doornkraal, is a Grade 5 learner at Paardekloof Primary School this year, located on a neighbouring farm to Doornkraal. She was awarded a bronze medal in the high jump at the Boland Athletics meeting. Stephanie has been at Paardekloof Primary since Grade R. She is now 10 years old (turning 11 this year). She has lived on Doornkraal since birth and is a very dedicated learner at school. We look forward to following her progress on the athletics front.
Stephanie's dad, Johannes Snyers, who has been employed at Doornkraal since 2009, is the first generation of the family who came to work on Doornkraal. Stephanie's mom, Susan, and Stephanie's siblings are also very proud of her sporting achievements and fully support her. Her brother and one sister have been working at Doornkraal since 2019 and her other sisters are still at school.
When we were at Kriewelkouse partial care facility on Doornkraal, we got a sense that the facilitators were very proud of their kids and taking great care to see to their holistic development while at Doornkraal. This is an example of how a nurturing, stimulating and positive learning environment can create a space for young people to be well prepared to take advantage of opportunities coming their way in the future. Laying a solid foundation is absolutely essential and that is why Education & Skills Development is one of the Foundation's four key focus areas for all projects on partner farms.
