Husain Badroodeen (31), the Data Science Lead at BackaBuddy for the past five years, resides in Crawford, Cape Town. Together with his cousin, Irshaad Arieff (32), a Chartered Accountant, they are on a mission to transform the lives of vulnerable children. Their objective is to secure a school bus for the 30 children under the care of Solomon Madikane at the Realistic Child and Youth Care Centre (RCYCC) in Athlone, Cape Town.
rshaad and Husain were drawn to RCYCC in December 2022. Having lost his father at a young age, Irshaad has always felt a calling to support orphans. Upon learning about the challenges faced by RCYCC, especially the difficulty of transporting children to school with only a small car, he felt compelled to help.
“I believe every child deserves an equal opportunity to live out and fulfill their dreams,” Irshaad shared. “This initiative is just one step towards changing the lives of many children at Realistic.” says Irshaad
Motivated by a vision of providing every child with equal opportunities, Irshaad reached out to Husain, who, in both his personal and professional capacities, is passionate about making a difference in the world. Husain eagerly joined the cause.
RCYCC: Nurturing Dreams Amidst Challenges
For over two decades, RCYCC has been a pillar of support for vulnerable children, offering residential care and a nurturing environment. Founded in 2004 by Solomon Madikane, the center took over from St. Francis Children’s Home, continuing and enhancing the care for vulnerable children and accommodating up to 42 residents.
Solomon Madikane, a passionate advocate for youth development, has dedicated more than 15 years to combating challenges like recidivism, substance misuse, and social crime. He works tirelessly with young South Africans, helping them break free from cycles of drugs, crime, and imprisonment.
However, the center’s lack of transportation has significantly hindered the children’s access to education and opportunities.
Campaign for Change: Empowering the Next Generation
To mitigate this, Irshaad and Husain initiated a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to provide RCYCC with a much-needed school bus. This bus will ensure consistent access to education and enriching experiences for the children.
“The school bus will significantly impact the children’s daily lives and future ambitions at Realistic. It will give them confidence, knowing they have a reliable way to attend school and extracurricular activities, which are currently beyond their reach. Moreover, it will enable the organization of excursions and fun events, allowing the children to explore Cape Town and broaden their horizons,” Husain explained.
The campaign is gaining momentum, having raised over R13,200 from 16 generous donors towards the target of R550,000. Each donation brings RCYCC closer to acquiring the school bus and securing a brighter future for the children.
“I want to thank those considering contributing and emphasize the lasting impact this will have on the orphans’ lives and society. Supporting this campaign will enable all current and future children at Realistic to travel safely to school, helping them realize their dreams. We’re aiding the future leaders of South Africa in achieving their educational aspirations, making South Africa a better place,” Irshaad expressed with gratitude.
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To support RCYCC, visit their BackaBuddy campaign here:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/RCYCC-School-Bus
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Campaign Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3QZBVc9pXQ&t=7s
