Sandra’s Story
Sandra’s Story
Sandra was born in Ceres. When her family moved to Stellenbosch, she attended the Pebbles Project After-School Club on Bellevue Wine Estate.
When Sandra fell pregnant as a teenager, she was suddenly overwhelmed by the newfound responsibility. The Pebbles Project CEO and Deputy Director offered support to Sandra: “They took my hand and helped me go back to school. They made sure that I had all the resources I needed. It was so comforting to know they were there for me…”
Sandra returned to school, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing, and unfortunately, Sandra failed two of her subjects. Sandra dreamed of becoming a teacher or a chef one day. A Pebbles Project social worker assisted Sandra in getting a casual position as a teacher at the Bellevue Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre to give Sandra the chance to explore whether a career in teaching was something she would enjoy. However, Sandra came to the realisation that teaching was not the right path for her: “A social worker at Pebbles saw that I was not happy and asked whether I would rather want to study. I said yes. She guided me throughout the whole journey; she drove me to Boland College and assisted me in applying to study hospitality.”
The Pebbles Project social worker also helped Sandra to secure a position at the restaurant at Kunjani Wines, where she worked as a Chef de Partie in training for three years. Sandra was then offered a position as Commis Chef at Bellevue Wine Estate’s restaurant, which she gladly accepted.
Sandra enjoys working as a chef: “My colleagues and I share a strong bond, and I enjoy working under pressure. It’s a challenge I really enjoy.” Sandra specializes in preparing gourmet platters.
Sandra is proud of her journey and how far she’s come: “Pebbles has literally changed my life. I can honestly say that I don’t know where I would be today without Pebbles. I probably would have been stuck in the same place that I was during my teenage pregnancy. I would have given up on my dreams. When I got pregnant, Pebbles took my hand and said, ‘Sandra, it’s not the end of the world. Do not lose hope. You can and will overcome this. We are here for you.’”
Sandra’s story is a powerful testament to the strength of perseverance and the importance of having support when facing life’s challenges. Through the guidance and care from the Pebbles Project team, Sandra turned her obstacles into opportunities, showing that with the right help, we can rise above our struggles and follow our dreams.
*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.