Rita’s Story

Rita’s Story

The Pebbles Project Primary Education Programme (PEP) provides quality education and support to children aged 6 to 13 and is delivered at the Pebbles Academy in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus.

When the local government primary school in the area closed down in 2019 due to a lack of funding, children from nearby farming communities were left without a school. Pebbles Project stepped in and established the Pebbles Academy. Registered with the Western Cape Education Department, the Academy offers education from Grade R to Grade 7. Learners receive daily transportation to and from the school as well as breakfast, lunch and two snacks provided by the Pebbles Nutrition Service.

A teacher at the Pebbles Academy noticed that something was wrong with Rita; she was very quiet in class and didn’t socialize with the other learners. The teacher soon discovered that Rita was in severe pain due to a toothache.

The Pebbles Project Health Service arranged for a dental surgeon to visit the Pebbles Academy to assist Rita. The surgeon had to extract all of Rita’s front teeth as well as some molars due to severe decay. The surgeon explained the necessity of extracting her teeth, warning that if an infection were to occur, it could be dangerous to her health. Because the damage was so severe, filling the decayed teeth wasn’t an option. Left untreated, the decayed teeth could lead to sepsis or even a life-threatening condition like meningitis.

Rita’s teacher held her hand throughout the procedure, ensuring she felt safe and comforted. The Pebbles Academy staff went out of their way to accommodate Rita by using a blender to prepare all of her meals.

To promote good dental hygiene, Pebbles Project arranged for a dentist to visit the Pebbles Academy and implement a brushing programme. This initiative provides toothbrushes, toothpaste, and preventative treatments to all learners, like Rita, to prevent dental caries and oral diseases, while also raising awareness of the importance of oral hygiene.

Rita’s teacher reflects: “Rita’s teeth have grown back beautifully, and she has never been happier to show off her new, healthy smile. Thanks to Pebbles, Rita’s new smile has boosted her self-esteem, and Rita is now a confident young girl with a vivacious spirit and bubbly personality, inspiring everyone around her.”

*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.

*The name of the beneficiary has been changed to protect her identity.