Faizel

“I’m 26 years old and am from Bonteheuwel. I’ve been living here my whole life. It’s a small community, and I love it so much. Growing up, we didn’t have many role models to look up to, so I hope I can become that for the children.

I was a student at the Mimosa school first, and one of my friends told me about the Amy Foundation when I was 12 years old. At first, I was skeptical, but I joined the After School Programme and it was a great decision. I joined soccer, and I’ve always loved sports, so it was the perfect fit for me. When I was 18, I got a job at MLT Tours as a concierge, and this is where I got my business idea from.

My business is a transportation business, a sort of luxury point to point service. We cost just as much as regular transport, just we make it fancier.

After creating this I went back to the Amy Foundation to help out again. One of the facilitators was going to quit, so I showed him I was determined and a hard worker, and he entrusted me his job. I left MLT to work at Amy full time. I always say you need to be passionate about your job, and I love teaching the kids soccer.

I’ve been lucky to receive many different sponsors. They’ve helped me build up my business and to keep working as a facilitator. Anyone is eligible, you just have to show that you have good ideas and are willing to work for it.

In the future, I want to keep doing what I do but at a bigger scale. I want to inspire people to chase their dreams and do something you’re passionate about. If I recall when I did the Cape Town Cycle Tour, I was struggling to get through it. I remember an elderly man telling me “Don’t just do it, remember WHY you’re doing it.” This has stuck by me forever. It’s about finding meaning in what you do and making a positive change.

I’m so happy I joined the after-school programme at the Amy Foundation, and therefore have been given the opportunity to open my business and work as a facilitator.