Dear Aunty Willemien ❤️.
My name is Ronan William Van Der Vaart and this is mystory. From a very young age I faced tasks and challenges not many people canrelate with today. Growing up in an extremely abusive household where both myparents were addicted to substances as well as alcohol posed a challenge earlyin my childhood. It was the placed on me to be the parent towards my youngerbrother as both my parents were absent both physically and emotionally and notcapable of taking care of us My Brother and I would often go to school withBlue/Black marks and teachers started to notice this more and more often andthe story that was drilled into us “We were playing rough” was no longerfooling anyone. In 2015 the social services were notified and and investigationwas launched. In November of 2015 we were removed from our parents custody andplaced in the Eastern Province children’s home where I would stay for theremaining 8 Years of my childhood.
Now being placed into the system posed it’s ownchallenges now living in a household with 13 other boys all with their ownchallenges, stories and adversities can either break you or make you and Ichose to rise, like a Phoenix I chose to rise from the ashes and for the next 8years my motto would be “your circumstances does not define you but you definewhat you do with your circumstances”. I tried my best throughout the remainderof Primary school but it was in entering High School I began to soar.
My Journey at Lawson Brown Started in 2019 where I toldmyself that this would be a new chapter in my life. I stumbled in the beginningbut stood tall at the end, My work ethic, Passionate teachers but above allelse God made me the young man I am today. Throughout high school I accumulatedthe following accolades: Junior City Council Member as well as best speakeraward at the Junior City Council, 2 time Principal Award winner, Honours forServices rendered to the school as Head Prefect, Honours for Cross Country,Half Colours for Culture and being 3rd best speaker at the the Toastmastersschool speech competition, Class captain, Computer club, athletics and SANBSpeer promoter. Above all else I was the recipient of the esteemed Astra Award,the greatest achievement that can be bestowed to a lawsonian. It was thejourney through high school that made me who I am today.
It was here that I developed a deep sense for the Justand Unjust. My speaking skills flourished through the JCC and toastmasters. Iapplied to the IEE varsity college to study LLB. I was awarded with the“Achievers Bursary” that’s covers R40,000 which is roughly 45% of the costannually leaving me to find funding forthe rest of the 55%. Your Contribution means more to me Aunty Willemien thatyou could ever understand I am so grateful for your contribution and I promiseit will not be taken for granted and I will work as hard as I possibly can.
Thank you so so very much
