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These organisations help matric students attend their dance with dignity

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Matric dances are a significant event in the last year of high school, but they come with a hefty price tag. The hair, nails, makeup, shoes and most especially the dresses can very quickly go way beyond your budget. 

I remember back in the day taking my parents up and down the major shopping malls looking for a particular style of dress I wanted. When I got one that I liked, it just was too expensive for my folks to purchase.

You know 'money doesn't grow on trees'.

So, my mom asked around for anyone who could make a replica of the dress.

To cut the story short, I am still getting miles out of that R350 dress.

However, the sad reality is that some families cannot meet the expenses that come with such a function.

Thankfully, these projects aim to create beautiful high school memories for every child in South Africa so they don't have to miss this special occasion.


 Also see:This is how the Class of 2018 turned up for matric dance season


Cut costs by approaching these organisation to help you:

Fairy Godmother Project

This projects aims to give learners an opportunity to attend their matric ball by providing shoes, accessories and dresses to young girls.

Lee-Ann Olwage

Hi Fairy Godmother team! I'm a Cape Town based social documentary photographer who aims to use my work as a mode of celebration. I'm working on a long term project that looks at celebrating the...

Find them on Facebook 

For more info contact Colleen on 0832760846 or email on victoryvillamuizenberg@gmail.com

The Princess Project

The nonprofit organisation was founded in 1996 by the late Helga Leur and Erica Pienaar. Their dream was to help young girls all over the country feel like princesses for one night. The Princess Projects collects donated evening dresses to make the chance of attending a matric dance a reality to young girls.

Visit the website 

Find them on Facebook

Watch the video below to see how the Princess Project helps young girls.

Dress it Forward

This is a student run organisation aiming to take all matric students in need to their farewells.

Read the founders statement on why she started this:

"I want to give teens who otherwise could not afford to go to the prom the opportunity to attend. When I was 15, I was told a story of a girl who was not able to attend her prom because she could not afford to buy a dress.

It seems so unfair to me that this rite of passage isn’t attainable to some because of the excessive costs of formal wear. I remember how excited I was when I attended my freshman formal and wore that special dress I loved.

If I could help someone else achieve that same experience, when they otherwise would not have been able to, then I know I have done something special for them."

Visit the website 


Also seeShort back and sides, no afros please: SA schools still cling to traditional rules in 2019


The Snow White Project

Apart from renting out cost-effective formal dresses, The Snow White Project also provides assistance to a few lucky matric students each year. 

Visit their Facebook page to find out more.  

Little Brinks' Matric Dance Room

Little Brinks is founded by couple Danny and Kath after seeing a need to help in the community of Elsies River where their foster daughter's parents lived. Kath knew that "they needed to do something." Over the years, Little Brinks has grown to include family support programs and job creation to establishing a matric dance room.

Visit their website

The Cherry Blossom Project

A women led initiative collecting donated matric dance dresses and lending them to underprivileged girls.

Visit their facebook page to find out more.
 

If you know of other organisations that help underprivileged students feel special at their matric dance, please mail us and we will update this list.

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