April 2024
We visited the Ceres area and met with Calvin Sass, who was part of the YearBeyond programme, supported by the Waitrose Foundation. Calvin was born in Ceres and grew up on Jakkalskraal farm near Ceres. He attended St Mark’s Primary in Prince Alfred’s Hamlet and then went on to Ceres High School.
At the beginning of his matric year, Calvin addressed the school and gave a speech as to why he should be considered as head boy. He found that he could speak confidently and as a result he was elected as deputy head boy. He often found himself in situations where he was required to speak publicly, and it continued to build his confidence.
He finished matric with two distinctions and decided to study Mechanical Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). During that year, he considered a change over to the University of the Western Cape (UWC), but in the end decided to take a gap year (2020). In November of 2020, within all the challenges of the global pandemic, Calvin started working as an Teaching Assistant at St Mark’s Primary School, with the intention of reapplying to CPUT or UWC to continue his studies. In the end, he decided on a Diploma in Information Technology through UNISA, securing a NSFAS bursary (National Student Financial Aid Scheme).
Since then, he’s been busy with his online studies and enjoying it immensely. In 2022 his paths crossed with Eleanor Louw, the Waitrose Foundation’s Regional Coordinator and Mentor of the YearBeyond Programme in the Witzenberg. Calvin was approached to enroll in the programme in 2022. This dramatically impacted Calvin’s life as he not only successfully completed the 2022 programme but also became an Assistant Mentor for the 2023 group in the Witzenberg region. Several young people enrolled in the programme are from Waitrose Foundation partner farms in the area, hence the involvement of Eleanor and the Foundation as an implementing partner of the programme
Calvin experienced personal and professional growth, especially during the 2023 programme as he attended multiple training courses for Year Beyond Mentors in various venues in the Western Cape. Encouraged by Eleanor, Calvin was inspired to grow and increase his capacity as a mentor and leader.
By mid-2023 Calvin started to experience a time commitment conflict between his work as Year Beyond Mentor and his UNISA studies. There is a significant volume of work for mentors, including oversight of the YeBoneers in the area, data capturing, and maintaining relationships with the teachers and parents of children with whom the YeBoneers interact through the various programmes.
As a result of the time and work volume conflict Calvin then decided to dedicate the 2nd half of 2023 on his studies and to catch up on outstanding assignments. During this time, Eleanor approached him about a position that became available in the area. It would suit his skills set and still give him the opportunity to focus on his studies parttime. He started working at the Waboomskraal aftercare centre on Kalos farm in November 2023, working with Grade 7 – 12’s.
In the classroom he has placed vision boards on the walls to inspire his learners. As he works with them during the afternoons, he identifies where they need assistance with homework and what to focus on to improve their grades. He is aware of what a positive impact his instruction and support can have on each learner, and also that many of the young people do not have support at home. Many of them have no hope. He sees his role as a motivator and hope-giver as he understands the rural context of the learners and many of their challenges.
The past few years Calvin has witnessed the effort that the Waitrose Foundation has put into supporting the youth through the YearBeyond Programme. He is a grateful recipient of life-impacting mentorship and a network of relationships and support which put him on a path to career fulfilment and success.
