Robin’s Story
Robin’s Story
24-year-old Robin grew up on Houmoed Farm in Stellenbosch, where she lives with her family. Her mother works at Villiera Wines and raised Robin and her siblings as a single parent. Robin attended the Pebbles Project Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre on Villiera Wines as a baby. When she turned six, she joined the Pebbles Project After-School Club.
As a young girl, Robin dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, a passion inspired by her mother. She says, “As a little girl, I would sit by my mom and watch her sew.” Robin started making dresses for her dolls and quickly fell in love with sewing.
Although Robin did not pass her final year of high school, she refused to give up on her dream. With support from the Pebbles Project Youth Development Programme (YDP) Manager, she completed the Clothing Manufacturing Processes Level 2 course at Boland College in Paarl before securing an internship with renowned South African fashion designer Genevieve Atelier. In 2023, Robin proudly showcased her first clothing collection at the Pebbles Project Stellenbosch Open Day.
When the Pebbles Project Entrepreneur Pods were launched in 2025 through the generous support of the Stichting Garcia Foundation, the YDP Manager recognised the Garcia Fashion Pod as the perfect opportunity for Robin to continue growing her skills. Today, she designs and sells her own clothing, undertakes alterations, and gains valuable retail experience while building her business. Through the income she has earned, Robin has already purchased an industrial sewing machine for her home.
Robin hopes to one day see her designs worn across South Africa and inspire other young adults from farming communities to pursue their dreams. She shares that: “Life is tough out there. I see it every day on the farms. I hope to inspire other young adults on my farm to follow their dreams.”
Reflecting on her journey, Robin says, “Pebbles teaches you so many things. They taught me to never give up. They will help you and make sure that you keep trying until you succeed. Pebbles has definitely changed my life.”
Robin’s journey demonstrates the lasting impact of investing in young people from an early age. From attending a Pebbles Project ECD centre as a baby to building her own small business through the Garcia Fashion Pod, she is turning her childhood dream into reality.
The Pebbles Project team is incredibly proud of Robin. Her creativity, perseverance and determination continue to inspire those around her, proving that with the right support and opportunities, dreams can become a reality.
*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.