Leonie’s Story

Leonie’s Story

Leonie spent her early childhood in Beaufort West, lovingly raised by her grandparents. At the age of 13, she moved to Stellenbosch to live with her parents on L’Avenir Wine Estate. It was there that she was first introduced to Pebbles Project and began attending the After-School Club on the farm.

Leonie quickly developed a love for reading through the Pebbles Project School Enrichment Programme (SEP). One of her fondest memories was when the Literacy Tutor recognised her passion and arranged a very special outing. “We were three girls at L’Avenir who really enjoyed reading,” Leonie recalls. “The Literacy Tutor took us to the hospital to read to the babies. It was so special.”

At the time, Leonie dreamed of becoming a nurse. But that very outing, while memorable and meaningful, led to a surprising realisation. “The hospital atmosphere felt so cold and clinical. It didn’t feel like the right working environment for me,” she shares.

While still in school, Leonie worked weekends as a runner at the L’Avenir tasting room to earn extra money. After matriculating, she wasn’t sure what her next step should be. That’s when a Pebbles Project social worker stepped in to guide her. Leonie shares that: “I told the social worker that I’d always wanted to work with children, and she helped me complete my application to Boland College.”

With support from the Pebbles Project social work team, Leonie secured a bursary and went on to complete her Educare N5, N6, and N7 qualifications. She completed her practical training at Remhoogte Wine Estate’s ECD centre, and not long after, was offered a position as an Assistant Tutor with Pebbles Project, a role she took on with enthusiasm. “What I enjoy most about my work is going out to the farms and interacting with the children,” she says with pride.

Leonie reflects: “I am very grateful to Pebbles. Without their support, I wouldn’t have applied to Boland College. I probably would have stayed on at the tasting room and never discovered my passion for working with children.”

Leonie’s journey is a shining example of the power of encouragement, opportunity, and belief in oneself. The Pebbles Project team is incredibly proud of the woman she’s become, and excited to see how her warmth, compassion, and determination will continue to uplift young lives.

*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.