In celebration of their birthday, Talk Radio 702 ran the campaign in order to grant the wish of a deserving candidate. Listeners were asked to call in with their wishes, and the most deserving wish was to be granted. Florence's employer Beryl heard about Talk Radio's campaign, and she called in to nominate Florence, proposing that she be given the opportunity to study matric, describing her as being, "Hungry for an education."
Beryl, who recognised Florence's number skills, had been teaching her how to be a bookkeeper; "she's a quick learner and wanted to learn more professionally, but due to financial difficulty was not able to." The little money she makes from fulfilling household duties is only enough to get her through each day. Florence doesn't have much family as her dad passed away when she was just a teenager and her only other relative in Johannesburg is her sister who works in a biscuit factory, making her dreams of studying further almost impossible!"
Talk Radio then contacted Damelin, who happily agreed to sponsor Florence with a R15,000 bursary to study junior bookkeeping. Screams of joy could be heard from Florence's small home in Soweto when she received the exciting news. Jessie Naidoo, group head of communications at Damelin said, "When Florence heard the good news she had become very emotional and started to tear while on air, an absolutely touching moment, indeed! It was heart warming to know that we at Damelin were able to change a person's life and give them hope."
Jessie went on to say, "We had chosen the Braamfontein campus for Florence, simply because this is the nearest campus to the Soweto area; she will not only save on transportation costs, but this will also make her life much more convenient."
Florence will now be in the process of completing a programme in junior bookkeeping and we hope to hear from her after completion. Damelin is undoubtedly very proud and happy to have been able to put their foot forward in helping Florence achieve her dream.
