Mom’s Entrepreneurs South Africa honoured the A Girl and Guy’s Dream Come True charity with the best charity award on June 1.
This win testifies to the hard work the team has done dressing underprivileged matriculants and good people wanting to do good deeds. Not only does the organisation dress matriculants, but it also helps learners secure learnerships from corporates.
Louise Wood, the founder of the organisation, emphasises the significance of matric farewells for learners.
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“As a single mother, I found it incredibly challenging to arrange all the necessary items for my daughter’s matric farewell,” she recalls.
“It took me a year to save for the shoes, dress, makeup and limousine. However, on the day of the farewell, the limousine broke down, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise.”
Wood continues, “Yvonne Chaka-Chaka heard about our plight and sent a limousine with her driver to take my daughter to her matric farewell.
That act of kindness had a profound impact on me, and I knew then I wanted to pay it forward and show the same kindness to others.
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“In 2010, a Congolese TV station approached A Girl and Guy to create a reality show that aired in the Congo and the UK. Bonnie and Abraham from Shot One TV were impressed with the charity because it offered a different kind of contribution to society. It had a genuine impact on matriculants, helping them find joy and hope as they prepared for their matric dances.
“During filming, we realised this show was a vehicle to make a significant impact on society and knew we needed to take it forward.
“Our vision for the next five years is to expand our charity’s reach to dress more matriculants. We have reached the 600-plus mark and aim to reach 1 500 children within five years.
We would also love to secure more learnerships from corporates,” said Wood.
“When asked why she thinks A Girl and Guy’s Dream Come True resonated with the award committee and what sets the charity apart, she said, “It’s a single mom’s entrepreneur award, and I was a single mom when I started the charity.”
“This resonates with many single moms and confirms that when a single mom puts her mind to something, the results can be significant. Everyone has something to offer and wants to offer it.
“This charity appeals to many aspects of society, and I believe the unique experience we create for matriculants is what sets us apart,” she said.
“I am so proud of what we have achieved through the goodness of people who have stepped forward as sponsors or supporters. This award will be the cherry on top, confirming that all they have done and continue to do is truly seen and appreciated in the core communities our charity impacts.”
“This award will help us reach community members who want to contribute or get involved with the charity. What we’ve learnt is everyone wants to help but might not know how,” said Wood.
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Wood said this award would shine a spotlight on what they do and encourage people to get involved in the bigger picture by offering time, talent or donations.
“Our biggest challenge, like most charities, is securing more sponsorships and learnerships. We plan to stay on our current path and have many more conversations with brands and educational institutions to secure additional sponsorships and learnerships.”
“We would like the community to come forward and donate more dresses, shoes, makeup and jewellery, and help dress the matriculants on the night of their farewells.
”In 2013, we dressed a girl in matric with the help of Michael Bezuidenhout [haute couture SA fashion designer],” said Wood.
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