Ernestine’s Story
Ernestine’s Story
25-year-old Ernestine grew up in Kraaifontein. Her parents divorced when she was very young, and her mother, who was unemployed at the time, raised Ernestine on a government disability grant. They moved in with Ernestine’s grandparents, who helped support them during those early years.
During the week, Ernestine lived with her mother and grandparents, and on weekends she would visit her father, who worked on Koopmanskloof Winery. It was through her father that she first heard about Pebbles Project and was introduced to one of the Pebbles Project social workers.
In her final year of high school, Ernestine fell pregnant and, unable to balance the demands of school and motherhood, dropped out. She found work in retail but quickly realised she wanted more from life. “A colleague told me she was working to pay for her studies. That moment really opened my eyes. I thought to myself, I have to find a way to study, I need to make something of myself.”
She shared her dreams with her father, who encouraged her to speak to a Pebbles Project social worker. With the support from the Pebbles Project social work team, Ernestine secured a bursary to study for a diploma in Office Administration at Boland College.
During her first year of studies, Ernestine became pregnant with her second child. Despite the challenges, she remained determined. “I was in my final trimester, walking from college to the taxi rank every day. Luckily, I had amazing friends who carried my bags on the days I didn’t have the energy.”
Her perseverance paid off, she passed all her exams and completed her diploma. Shortly after graduating, the Youth Development Programme (YDP) Manager at Pebbles Project encouraged Ernestine to apply for an internship at Pebbles Project. Around the same time, Pebbles Project was contacted by Unframed, an agency that partners with corporate organisations to place young adults into accredited learnerships.
Ernestine was accepted into a one-year, full-time IT learnership endorsed by MICT SETA. She then began her journey at Pebbles Project as an intern, where she was soon promoted to YDP Administrator. It was during this time that Ernestine discovered her true passion for working with young adults. “That’s where my heart is,” she says. “I see myself in them. I know what it feels like to be unsure of your future, to want more but not know where to begin.”
Ernestine’s journey did not stop there. She later transitioned into the role of Stellenbosch Area Facilitator, continuing to grow in both responsibility and impact. The Pebbles Project team is extremely proud of how far she has come and the dedication she continues to show in her work.
Ernestine remains deeply grateful to Pebbles Project: “If it wasn’t for Pebbles, I would be stuck in a job that didn’t make me happy. I’m proud of myself for deciding to study. I’ll always be thankful to Pebbles for taking my hand and helping me succeed. Pebbles has changed my life forever. I dread to think where I’d be today if it wasn’t for Pebbles.”
*This story captures a period in the beneficiary’s journey during their involvement with Pebbles Project and reflects their circumstances at the time it was written.