“Hearing that our matric dance would be cancelled because we could not afford to buy outfits broke my heart because it is such a special night.”
These were the words of Mzontsundu Senior Secondary School pupil Anam Mabangula, 19, whose dream of attending her school dance was saved thanks to a Dream Dress Drive PE initiative.
Anam and 44 other girls received dresses from the organisation for their matric dance, to be held in November.
“I was so happy when we were given this opportunity because some children like me would not be able to go to the matric dance,” she said.
“Our parents could not afford it but Zelia [Baatjies] was there for us with Dream Dress.”
The school recently had its Dream Dress Day at the Walmer Methodist Church, where each pupil was able to pick a dress and shoes of their choice.
Anam thanked her teacher, Baatjies, for contacting organisers of the Dream Dress initiative and for finding other sponsors to provide outfits for 35 boys in her class.
“I felt [so] extremely happy that I could cry because of the joy in my heart,” she said.
From the initiative, Anam got a pair of shoes, the dress – which she would not describe, saying it was a surprise – and also accessories.
Some of her classmates got vouchers to get their nails and hair done.
The Dream Dress Drive PE, officially launched in 2015, assists less-privileged matric girls with a dress and accessories for their matric farewell and has helped more than 400 girls look dazzling.
The project’s Kezia da Silva said since its initial drive at Walmer High School, the project had grown to include many other schools in the Port Elizabeth area.
These schools include Booysen Park Senior Secondary, Westview High School, Gamble Street High, Douglas Mbopa High and many others.
“Our team works closely with the teachers of beneficiary schools to assist in providing matric girls with the dress of their dreams,” she said.
“We provide a selection of secondhand dresses for the young ladies to choose from.
“Once a dress is selected it’s theirs to keep, so we have to ensure that each dress that we gift to someone is replenished via ongoing donations.”
De Silva said she would like to challenge the community service societies of local high schools in Port Elizabeth to encourage past pupils to donate their dresses to their cause.
Candice van Rooyen, from Westview High School in Newton Park, which had its dance in September, said the initiative took the strain off teachers who had to try to raise funds for outfits for pupils.
“We are grateful for the opportunity because it meant that our students who are in need were spoilt for choice.
“Everyone looked special and they were all comfortable in their clothing [whereas] in the past they would have to wear what the teachers gave them as it was all we could give them,” she said.
An English teacher at Gamble Street Senior Secondary in Uitenhage, Firoza Lodewyk, said she was thankful that 20 pupils from her school could be assisted.
“I know if Kezia could take everyone she would. The kids at this school are really disadvantaged and need all the help they can get. We are thankful.”
Find Dream Dress on Facebook.com/dreamdressdrivePE or e-mail dreamdressdrivepe@gmail.com to donate.