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To Whom It may Concern
Being me was different, before coming to St. Cyprians I was less confident and I was always to scared to speak openly. Now, after 2 years + 5 months I've grown into a confident speaker, a not- so- scared girl who is proud of who she is and I speak about any topic openly with people I barely know.
Being at St. Cyprian's has really taught me things I would never even know. I've experienced a lot and it's really shown me how privileged I am to be at such a wonderful school. They teach us, guide us, mould us into beautiful, independent young woman. The teachers have helped me with decisions for my future, guided me with subjects choices and I feel that just by being at St. Cyprian's I am part of a family, one that is nurtured and taken care of.
When I was in junior school things were a lot different. Not only was I younger, but I was in a government (state) school and in my class there were over 50 girls. The teachers didn't have time for individual pupils and never noticed when a child was having problems or if a pupil was even a listening to the lesson. At a government school there isn't a large of extra mural.
I now hold my head high. I am proud to say that I know what I want to be, where I want to go and how I am going to do it. I thank you for putting me into a school that has brought me up, just as one of the children a mother would bring up.
She nurtures them and they grow, and I feel that is what St. Cyprian's has done for me.
Many Thanks Lindsay Nicolaai
WHO AM I?
Hi, my name is Lindsay Nicolaai. I am 13 years old and I have 3 siblings, 2 brothers and 1 sister and my parents are divorced.
I would like to take the opportunity of thanking everyone and especially Richard Mason and the Kay Mason Foundation for giving children like me the chance of attending such a wonderful school like St Cyprians.
When I was in Grade 1, I came home very excited and told my mother I know what my small brother could be when he grew up. I told her he could become a doctor. My mother said: ‘Lindsay, with the results you are achieving, you can also become a doctor’. I told her no I couldn’t because only male could become doctors. My mother who has been very supportive then showed me the many female doctors and they reassured me that more females are becoming doctors. I now believe yes, I can become a doctor.
On my way home from school, I had a vision. I told my mom that I was reading the newspaper and the front page had a picture of me and the words in bold stood out as I read them aloud: “Dr Lindsay Nicolaai has found the cure for Aids”. My mom wished that she could record that moment as proof later on.
In 1994, my mom had a brain haemorrhage and had to have two 7 hours operations. As a result, she was boarded from work and worked as a volunteer at our parish St Marks in District 6. Later, she was reassessed and advised that she could go back to work and the company she spent 17 years with could not find a position for her. Because her pension was taken away, our family life suffered financial hardships and a final decision had to be taken and my parents divorced in mid year 2000.
I have achieved straight A’s from Grade 1 to now without any extra work at home. My music results prove this as we do not have a piano at home and I have not been practising anywhere. I will be taking a strong discipline for high school and will put more time and effort for study at home.
My mom has been teaching me that whenever I get any money, 10% I give to the church and I will take on the discipline of giving 10% of my salary to St Cyprians. When I become a doctor, I would like to sponsor children on a bigger scale and I understand that it was a difficult decision to make in choosing the correct person to sponsor but I am currently thinking of how to achieve this objective with less stress on the children.
STORY – The importance of giving back
Give to life and you will be surprised by the many gifts you receive – that’s my motto for life and intend to stick to it forever. I believe what goes around comes around. The importance of giving back is when you receive something so valuable, you want to say thank you by doing the same for the school which I will be attending – all thanks to Richard. I will be getting an education that any child would dream of but never achieved it because they cannot afford it. Since South Africa’s children are filled with devotion to high education but only few can afford the best. In my case, I insure that I will put in my most to give at least one child the chance of getting a great education. And my dream will be that I can achieve 1 goal to become a doctor and support other children in their financial suffering.
To go to a school with which they have received certificates for being one of the top schools in Cape Town. It is a privilege and wasting would be wrong to my fellow students of Cape Town, South Africa, especially if there are millions of children with no financial support. It is indeed my duty to give back and not be selfish to others.
There is a duty of giving back once you have received an opportunity of getting such a valuable expensive prize. I feel so overjoyed but I do realize that for everything you get means another thing you give. I also believe that we all can make a difference if from the lowest earner to all the millionaires out there. If we al shared with one another and spread the wealth of the world more, lots of people will get different chances in life. Some can have a piece of bread while others can have a cooked meal for supper and some, like in my case, can have a chance to attend the best school in Cape Town as a result of being sponsored by some wonderful, awesome people.
Just as a result of people getting their meals, you could be responsible to not having a house or car or even, a life is saved as a result of a burglary. Crime rate will come down tremendously and it should be part of everybody’s up bringing to touch a life / lives. The more you give, the more you get back. The house / car or life that be you. How much would you receive as a result?
PS. Thank you very much Richard!
MY EASTER
I spent most of my Easter with family and friends. My step-brother Adam had his birthday on Saturday 19 April 2003. Easter is my favourite holiday because a long time ago Jesus gave his life for our sins and because he loved us all.
On Sunday I woke up to have family wishing us all a happy Easter. My eldest brother David, whom I haven’t seen for 2 months was there. I do not only celebrate Easter for the Easter eggs, but for the love our family and friends share. We love one another and that’s what Easter is about.
On Monday I spent my whole day studying for the upcoming exams and I had all my homework ready for Tuesday.
On Friday 18 April 2003 I had spent time with my friends because I thought I was not going to see them on Sunday, but they came to see me. I love them.
I only hope you enjoyed your Easter as much as I did!!!
Lindsay Nicolaai
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