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End 2011 Report:
How do one describe the best year of your life, well in one word awesome!
This year I learned so much about myself. It was like seeing the light at the end of a tunnel.
When you start high school, you take in everything not really finding your feet and you are bombarded with so many assignments, written work and class assessments that it’s hard to keep track. Then one day you wake up and realise you know exactly what you want to do and that cloud that was hovering above your head slowly starts to become a light mist clearing as the vision of your future unfold.
Who I am:
My name is Ilham Saal. I’m 17 years old and live with my parents, my sister Tasneem, a 2 year old adopted sister Nuhaa and from time to time other foster siblings that come and share our house.
I use to be the youngest in my family and always felt unnoticed but since my parents decide to open our home to other children my view of feeling left out had changed tremendously. I discovered that having a sister or even a brother doesn’t necessary mean that they have to be born from your mother or even be blood related family. I realise a child will love anyone who treat them with respect, kindness, feed them and keep them safe, kind like the Kay Mason Foundation where all the learners at the foundation belongs to the Kay Mason family.
Events and latest news:
During the September holidays I had to do job shadowing as part of the Life Orientation program. Unfortunately I couldn’t find a position at a firm that could give me exposure to the field I’m interested in and I had to settle for the hospitality industry. I got a position at one of the Protea hotel groups. I want to be a chartered accountant at the end of my studies and realise that it would be a good opportunity to start at reception and follow the money trail until the end. The experience was both challenging and rewarding. I now definitely know that I’m not cut out for the hospitality industry. I have never been exposed to so much pressure but I appreciate the experience and one day when I sit on the other side of a desk trying to reconcile a budget I will think of the people that have to put in endless hours to make a company profitable.
As I stated before this year I clearly started to find my place not only academically but also socially. Our school present a talent competition at the beginning of this term. Although I didn’t part-take in any of the events I did however assist with decor, stage settings and the smooth running of the event. The events run over 3 school nights so this was a 1st for me. Staying up late and being on time for school the following day. Each night the learners at our school amazed me with their talent and a deserving winner was selected.
Our school was also invited to take part in the SAICA competition at Stellenbosch University. This event also gave us exposure and experience as to how other school motivate their learners in excelling in their specific field.
My most humbling experience was when we went to visit the Medical museum at Stellenbosch University. We saw human body parts, the foetus of an aborted baby and many more disfigured parts. As much as my parents wanted me to consider doing something in the medical field this experience made me decide that anything to do with human parts is not for me.
Everyone always raises an eyebrow then they ask me about my subject choices because one is working with numbers and the other is science and to many these 2 don’t gel. I chose physics and pure maths in the event the chartered accountant field does not work out. I’m glad that I was expose to the different career paths. It gave me the opportunity to commit to one specific field so once I enter university I can be confident that I will choose the correct study criteria. I have come across many students that study one path and end up doing something completely different. Life is too valuable to waste on being indecisive.
The highlight of this quarter is definitely my 3rd place overall for accounting at Shawco Shine. This program is held at the University of Cape Town on a Saturday morning and schools all over the Western Cape sends there learners here for extra tuition. They follow a strict program and attendance is compulsory once you enrol. Imagine instead of having a 5 day school week I have a 6 day school week but in the end the sacrifice will make it all worthwhile later.
When everyone else goes to the movies on a Saturday morning I prepare myself for class. To top it all I still have to get up extra early because the transport doesn’t wait on the learners. These programs also give us a foot in the door when we want to apply for University entrance. UCT is one of Cape Town’s oldest universities and it would a privilege to be accepted to such an institution.
I therefore once again have to Thank the Kay Mason foundation, its staff, trustees and specially the donors for affording us the opportunity that allows us to study at good schools and institutions that pave our way to be accepted at prestigious Universities. I will always try to prove that I’m a worthy recipient of your sponsorship and I’m proud to be associated with the Kay Mason Foundation.
WHO I AM:
My name is Ilham Saal. I am 14 years old and was born on the 5th June 1994. I am a grade 9 learner atLivingstoneHigh School. I live in Mitchell’s Plain with my parents and my sister. I am the youngest of three children.
At the beginning of 2009, it was easy to adjust to the New Year but as the term progressed, the work became more challenging.
My favourite subjects are Mathematics and Accounting. I enjoy doing German as well but I don’t fully understand it yet. My goal is to finish matric and go on to higher study. I want to become a Chartered Accountant one day, not only because of the income potential but because I really enjoy accounting and want to achieve something I love doing.
I enjoy socialising with people and I’m really talkative and outgoing. My hobbies are swimming, listening to music, being outdoors and being with my friends. I enjoy being at school and learning new things everyday. I get bored when I’m home at weekends and school holidays. I don’t really like any sports, but I love playing board games such as Monopoly, 30 seconds etc.
My family has gone through many crises over the past few years, but I manage to stay focused and concentrate on my grades.
I sincerely wish to thank the KMF for accepting me as a KMF scholar. It gives me the peace of mind that I can fully achieve my goals.
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