Education for Lariesa Campaign
For the past 5 years or more my sister, Lariesa Rode Otto (17 years old), have been in and out of school because of the difficult financial position that our family has been in. It would have been simpler if she was able to attend a mainstream school, but she has global developmental disorder with severe learning difficulties together with some characteristics of autism. Thus, she needs to go to a special school.
Since 2018 she has been periodically going to Whaikana, a school which provides just what she needs. The change which we have seen in her since she began going there has been amazing. Where she used to be unhappy and anxious going to school and did not have friends, she is now very excited to get there, speaks a lot about her friends and activities she participates in. We have seen her blossoming into a happy and fulfilled person.
Unfortunately, our financial struggles continue, to the point that we cannot realistically hope to afford her school fees. Her fees are R5000 a month, of which the school is already paying R1100. This means that we need R3900 every month for her to learn and grow. My father is a pensioner with some health issues and receives a SASSA income, my mother a primary school library assistant and myself a university student.
If we cannot send her to school, then we would have no choice but to leave her at home. It broke my heart seeing her stagnate at home with little stimulation, knowing how much she loves all the activities and being with her friends. I wish that I had the financial ability to provide that for her, but I can just about support myself and my family a little bit.
Luckily the school is busy with legislation which can provide an alternative source of financing for her, but it has been months in the making and there is no telling how long it may still take. In the meantime, I am asking for your help so I can at least ensure that she can continue to go to school for the next 3 months. It would mean the world to my sister, so that she can have that to look forward to.