AN attempt to assist three matric girls live out their farewell dreams in the 90s has become a Kariega institution thanks to a mom-and-daughter duo.
Angelona Williams started the #FixHERcrown initiative 24 years ago while working as the secretary at Uitenhage High School. Three matriculants were unable to attend their matric farewell due to financial constraints and she stepped in to assist.
Ten years later her daughter Nasarah Williams-Witbooi joined the initiative to assist her alma mater.
At this point, Williams was helping up to seventeen girls a year. Williams-Witbooi’s passion for the initiative saw her calling on the town to get involved.
“I asked my mom to open this up to the public as the amount of girls needing help increased drastically. We posted on social media and the response has been overwhelming,” she said.
The project was then broadened to include John Walton Secondary School, McCarthy Comprehensive School and Gamble Street High.
“The community of Kariega deserved a round of applause at this point – they assisted us so much,” she said.
Williams, a mother to a son and daughter herself, felt that the boys were being neglected and the #FixHIScrown project was initiated.
“People from all over the country have contributed to this, may it be a suit or shoes, a shirt and tie. We have it covered,” she said.
She adds that members of the community and local businesses have been a great support system.
“Definitely brings so much meaning to the term; it takes a village”.
We realized that #FixHerCrown #FixHisCrown as a name could no longer work, hence the new name #FixACrown was adopted.
The pair insist that #FixACrown is about more than just glitz and glam.
“We help matriculants with university applications and we do a ‘routine’ check during the year to find out how they are doing.
“We are so grateful to the various University staff that have assisted us in this regard and that will continue to assist us.”
The project, which insists on not posting pictures of the beneficiaries to protect their privacy, helps approximately 56-65 pupils a year and has seen countless beneficiaries coming back to pay it forward and help.
“It’s so overwhelming to see the joy it brings to that matriculant when he or she comes for their fitting, choosing their special outfit or just the conversation about the excitement leading up to the event,” she said.
The project has since grown to include Sunshine Special School, where they assist in giving students a good send-off.
“It’s so overwhelming to see the joy it brings to that matriculant when he or she comes for their fitting, choosing their special outfit or just the conversation about the excitement leading up to the event,” she said.
“I simply can not wait for my daughter, Ari to be grown up and start assisting matriculants. We pray that this initiative will grow from generation to generation.”
- If you would help to Fix A Crown follow them on Facebook for updates and ways to assist
Leave a Reply