Jennie
Photo Credit: Supplied

A non-profit’s after school club ignited a love of learning in Jenic of Patrysberg Farm. After getting her degree (and becoming the first in her family to do so) serendipity struck when she saw a job advertisement to work at the very same place that nurtured her own passions!

 

Citrusdal, South Africa (26 May 2025) — When 23-year-old Jenic was still growing up on Patrysberg Citrus Farm in Citrusdal, she got to learn about more than just nurturing the land.

In primary school, Jenic joined non-profit the Pebbles Project’s After-School Club where her love of learning grew and grew.

The Pebbles Project is all about uplifting children and families from farming communities in the Western Cape.

It was at the After-School Club that Jenic really got to hone in on certain passions, like the arts and computer literacy. And, it was also here that she met some of her first heroes like the SEP practitioners who made a big impression on her.

This wholesome foundation led Jenic to become the first in her family to earn a degree after she finished studying a Bachelor of the Arts at the University of the Western Cape later on in life.

It was during her studies that her dreams started to sharpen.

“I always enjoyed helping other children at the After-School Club on the farm… While I was studying, it all just clicked, I realised I wanted to work with children and become a teacher.”

After getting her Postgraduate Certificate in Education, a serendipitious moment struck.

She saw a job advertisement that was for an SEP Educator and Trainer at the very same After-School Club that helped her own education journey flourish!

“When I saw the job post, I didn’t hesitate,” Jenic shares. “It felt like the perfect way to give back to the children in my community.”

Today Jenic works hard to mentor the learners on Patrysberg farm and give them the same safe and inspiring environment that once shaped her.

“I feel so thankful. I’ve seen how tough things are for children in my community, how they can feel defeated, and I’ve seen how Pebbles helps them broaden their skills and dream bigger. Pebbles changed my life. Pebbles made me want to learn, to rise above my circumstances, and now I want to help others do the same.”


Sources: Liesl Ahlers 
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About the Author

Ashleigh Nefdt is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Ashleigh's favourite stories have always seen the hidden hero (without the cape) come to the rescue. As a journalist, her labour of love is finding those everyday heroes and spotlighting their spark - especially those empowering women, social upliftment movers, sustainability shakers and creatives with hearts of gold. When she's not working on a story, she's dedicated to her canvas or appreciating Mother Nature.

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