The Sunflower Dream Project

Buddy Learning's "Sunflower Dream" project is a noble initiative with a three-fold vision. Firstly, it aims to give back to communities by empowering school journeys through donations of stationery, school shoes, and academic paraphernalia. Secondly, it provides young learners from impoverished areas with access to the platform as tutors, allowing them to market their skills. Lastly, it aims to close the inequality gap in education by providing access to quality education to rural areas. The project draws inspiration from the remarkable sunflower and Ms. Dina Goncalves, former Headmistress at Jeppe High School for Girls. The Sunflower is a beautiful flower that teaches us valuable lessons about seeking light, standing tall, and enriching those around us. I was fortunate enough to have a remarkable woman in my life, Ms Dina Gonçalves, who believed in me from a young age. She was truly the Greatest Of All Time, or "G.O.A.T as we fondly referred to her. Ms G and I shared a love for mathematics and sunflowers, and her belief in me led to the development of Buddy Learning. I hope to inspire the youth to believe that anything is possible with determination and hard work, just as Ms G inspired me. In 2021, Ms. G once told me that she had hoped that one day we would be able to chat about the beautiful things in life while in the presence of sunflowers. Ms. G's passing the following year in 2022 meant that we would never be able to have this beautiful conversation I had so longed for, and thus it will forever be a dream. Hence, this project was inspired by that. I do hope this project will enrich as many young lives as possible, making The Sunflower Dream come true. Discussing how young people have been enhanced by Buddy Learning's initiatives would indeed lead to beautiful conversations in life. ​ It's heartwarming to see how a simple conversation about sunflowers can inspire a project that aims to enrich the lives of young people. The Sunflower Dream is a beautiful tribute to Ms. G and her vision of creating meaningful conversations. Buddy Learning's initiatives have the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of many young people, and I'm excited to see how this project unfolds. ​ - Tshaamano Mabuba, Buddy Learning Director