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Cameron Cupido
I attended St. Cyprians School and at first it took me quite a while to adjust. It was a different environment compared to what I was exposed to.
In the beginning I couldn't see how I was meant to fit into this environment so unprepared not just by my parents but just life in general. There were so many different kinds of cultures surrounding me that I never even dreamt of being a part of. I kept comforting myself saying that this was to be my new home for a while, which in the end it was.
My experiences of school were some of the best I have ever had. I have built so many relationships, not just with friends, but also with humanity through my experiences of doing community work. I have learned that even if it's a small contribution, it could help someone in ways we may not realize. I will always remember the poetry lessons that inspired me to be anything I wanted to be. To be a better person within Manenberg and through furthering my studies inspire the youth to do better with their lives and to not just waste it. Through these experiences I appreciate what I have in life, the little that I may have.
I can clearly say that it has prepared me to take on the world and to dream big, for it is what makes us unique in our own way.
Thank you for believing in me amongst many other students and inspiring me to reach my goals. I am currently busy with my honours in Graphic Design at Stellenbosch University. I have been struggling a bit coping with all the workload as there is no right or wrong when it comes to doing practical work. I have also been exploring my heritage as my main focus for this year. It has allowed me to explore my roots and where I actually come from which is a rather exciting journey I am more than willing to take. I still have one more subject to do next year to finish my honours and then I plan on doing my Masters degree.
Other than that I worry for my mother, as she is ill though I try not to let it affect my work. She is constantly going into hospital but I hope she will recover properly.
I would be very happy to be in contact with my donors. They have given me such a great chance in life and I would love the opportunity to thank them personally.
I thank the Kay Mason Foundation for granting me these opportunities to grow mentally and emotionally. I am indebted to the foundation to put back wherever I can to make a difference to many more lives.
Kindest regards
Cameron Cupido
SCHOLAR REPORTS:
My time at St.Cyprian's has been very challenging. All the changes in the way of living and the environment.
I didn't put up any high expectations when I came to St. Cyprian's but my goal was to get a good education and get much more opportunities I could go for.
The boarding house felt somehow different and everyone seemed so friendly. Many memories lie in the friendships I've made at this school.
As time went by I've changed and learned how to look at life at a different perspective. To grow and to gain knowledge of what you never knew exsted. There are things such as camps to Cape Point and Richtersveld that I had never been on before.
I'm in grade 10 now and been at St.Cyprian's school for three years and the change isn't easy. It's difficult to choose my subjects and specialise in them. I'm not sure if I want to go into medicine when I'm done with school.
I chose Biology and Science as two of my main subjects because I believe that there are many career choices if you matriculate with those subjects. The things that I really like are Afrikaans and German, the reason being that they're related and I find it easy to cope with them together. Another subject I like is Mathematics simply because I have an obsession with algebra and geometry.
I also do community service at Maitland Cottage Hospital. We go as a group and play with the children who's had operations. Just to make their day better than it already was. Playing with children is fun and if they're sad about life or their situation I want to make it better. My aim is to make them smile and devote my time to those special children in my life.
I've applied for the President's Award and international exchange to Germany. Doing the president's award shows that you've been active in regular outdoor activities and completed 48 hours of community service. I think that being involved in various activities after school can be very demanding because grade 10 is a busy year trying to settle in with your subjects. But I think by doing community service you're helping people improve their lives.
I do hope that I can make a difference I people's lives and set goals to show them that they shouldn't give up if they have problems in life, but belief will pull them through.
The kind of education I have, has made a huge impact on my life and wouldn't do anything to constrict it. I appreciate all things that the Kay Mason Foundation has done for me, I'm really gratefully for everything.
This is how my life has changed.
Thank you !
WHO AM I?
My name is Cameron Cupido and I am 12 years of age. I’ve also got a younger brother named Sheldon and he’s 6 years old. I live with my parents and my uncle in Manenberg. I attended Portavue primary school and was chosen Head-girl for the year 2002. I’ve been at that school for 7 years and our principal was Mr Jonkers. My hobbies are reading books such as Goosebumps, Zach’s adventures and Animorphs which are all fiction books. I also love playing sports such as cricket, cycling and swimming. Swimming is my favourite sport and it keeps me fit. Spending time is very important especially with my family. I’m a very outdoor person and like to go hiking with friends of mine. Being outdoors makes me feel relaxed and stress-free. Dogs and cats are my favourite pets and I like to cuddle them. Dogs are special in their own ways and that’s why I like to spend time with them. What I like about myself is my hair and my brown eyes. I love playing with my hair because it’s nice and long but sometimes I get sick of long hair. The colours I like the most are blue and black because it’s dark and expresses your feelings. When I have spare time, I read my bible or meditate. Sometimes, I dance if I can find music but not in front of people. I’m a very shy person but I like to talk a lot. I hang out with my friends and have fun with them. My friends have their ups and downs but we learn to solve our problems. Playing games on the computer also occupies my time. Eating pizzas is fun for me and I’ll eat it anywhere, anytime. I’m a girl who likes to be dressed well when it comes to occasions or at parties.
STORY – A foreigner’s guide to Manenberg
Being a guide to someone from another country would not be easy, nor would it be that difficult. Here are a few things a foreigner should know about Manenberg:
Don’ts
Almost on every little corner of Manenberg, you’ll find gang members hanging around. Drug trafficking is also very common there especially between the youth. Because people would know when you are not from this country, you need to be very careful and always on your guard. Don’t try to show off very expensive equipment like cameras, cell phones, jewellery etc. Even very expensive clothes would be targeted. Thieves would try to rob you even in broad daylight at gun point. You need to go around Manenberg with as little as possible. Thieves would talk to you just to keep you busy while others would steal from you. So be on your guard at all time.
Do’s
In Manenberg, the poverty and unemployment rate is very high. People would quickly notice if you are not from the area. Resources in the area could be very helpful. Children are very likely to want to talk to a foreigner and want to know where you are from. Yes, you need to be aware of thieves but that doesn’t mean that people wouldn’t welcome nor accept you as part of the community. There are a lot of activities in the area. There are about 3 sports and recreational centres with different locations. There is a People Centre where there are computer lessons for a small fee, free consultations services where job skills are provided for the unemployed for numerous areas like brick laying, sewing, etc. You’ll find a Youth Club which is called the Silvertree Youth Club. At this club, you’ll get karate, dancing lessons, etc. At this very centre a few years back, there was also Boys Scouts where my great granny was also very active. These activities are there to try to keep young children off the streets because a lot of these children would play truant.
Manenberg is not very big but if you don’t know the area or have someone that knows the area you might get lost and become vulnerable to gang members. Even with the do’s and don’ts, Manenberg got its good and bad days like all other areas. If you ever want to come to Manenberg, don’t let the bad things put you off. I’ll be happy to be your guide anytime. So come and see what Manenberg looks like for yourself.
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