After not being able to attend school for a year due to financial constraints, among other reasons, a 14-year-old boy’s determination to become something in life has led to him taking matters into his own hands and finally being able to start high school.
Caleb Coupé, from Greenbushes in Nelson Mandela Bay, could’ve thrown in the towel or maybe used his circumstances as an excuse to laze around at home all day for 12 months straight.
Instead, the teen who completed Grade 7 at Altona Primary School in 2020, remained adamant on completing school.
He recently wrote a letter detailing his dilemma and desire to attend school and asked his mother, friends and family to share the letter on social media.
Soon after, his letter touched the hearts of many and was shared several times on Facebook.
It wasn’t long before numerous people indicated that they would like to help Caleb get into a school and help with his school fees.
In his letter, Caleb stated that he couldn’t do Grade 8 in 2021 because his mother could not afford the required administration and school fees.
He added that they tried following the home-schooling route but all the learning material was in PDF form and the laptop that he was given was broken, so he could not do the work.
“We also don’t have a car and live near the Fairview Racecourse, so we haven’t been able to drive to schools to try to get me into a school again. We also can’t afford using Bolt or Uber,” he continued in the letter.
“I miss school; I love school and I need to go to school because I want to become a forensic scientist.
“My mom has taught us that nothing in life is free but if there is anyone that can possibly help me get into a school and with a way to and from school, my mom will pay what she can every month. My mom works part-time and doesn’t make a lot of money,” the letter concluded.
Caleb’s mother, Carol Coupé, said that with the help of the community and even people abroad, Caleb managed to get into Kabega Christian School to start Grade 8 this year.
When asked whether schools weren’t able to exempt or help financially needy children so that they could stay in school, Carol said that as far as she understood it, the registration fees needed to be paid first.
She explained that she had tried to get an exemption at the local Department of Education’s offices, but was told by a security guard at the gate that she needed an appointment first before she could enter the building.
“The more I tried to explain that I just wanted to find out at reception who I coud speak to, the more they told me that I needed an appointment. This happened three times and I couldn’t afford to keep paying someone to take me to the department.”
Carol also said that they had applied to schools at the end of 2020 but found out that they were too late.
“It is also difficult to be accepted if you can’t afford the admin fees.”
To make matters worse for the family, they lived in a caravan at the time and could only move to a flat after a good Samaritan helped them by paying a huge part of the rent in advance.
“It was extremely hard for me as a mother to see my happy, bubbly, smiling child become depressed and angry most of the time. It broke my heart and made me feel worthless and useless.
“I am so grateful for all the help because I am now over the moon. I can’t believe how quickly my son’s post was shared and how many people have shared it and given advice, sponsored items and just helped in so many different ways,” Carol said.
“He still needs some textbooks, stationery and the uniform but we are waiting to hear back from people regarding these.”
Caleb added that he was so excited about the school and couldn’t wait to start because it had been very hard on him.
“Education is important because without it you can’t get far in life. I need an education so that I can become a forensic scientist.”
Caleb thanked everyone who helped him get this far.
“Don’t let anything or anyone stop you from trying to reach your goals,” he said.
