Students from a Stellenbosch University (SU) men’s residence hiked up Simonsberg Peak to create awareness for a fund intended to raise money for underprivileged residents.
This was according to Dillon Williams, head of the ‘Simon4Simon’ fund, and a resident of Simonsberg Men’s Residence.
The 8.5km hike took place on 19 August and 20 residents participated, said Williams. “From there [the hike would] inspire people to donate.”
[From left to right] Johan Cloete, Odin Mostert, Harsheel Desai and Kevin Crnkovic, all members of Simonsberg Men’s Residence at Stellenbosch University, took part in a hike organised by the residence in an attempt to raise awareness for their financial aid scheme aimed at generating funds for underprivileged students, said Dillon Williams, head of the fund, Simon4Simon, and member of Simonsberg. PHOTO: Liam Voorma
Combating inequality
‘Simon4Simon’ is a fund that was established several years ago to combat financial inequality amongst Simonsberg residents, said Williams.
The goal of the ‘Simon4Simon’ fund is to reach R10 000, according to the sports for lives website.
The fund works on an application basis, explained Williams.
Students from less privileged households are able to apply for necessities, such as food, clothing, a bus ticket home, and academic material such as textbooks or stationary, he added.
Although Simonsberg Men’s residence was unable to disclose the names of the students assisted, they have helped many students over the years in terms of additional meal quotas, transport fees, toiletries and clothing, said Williams.
Many underprivileged students rely on National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding, said Williams.
As students continue to struggle with NSFAS registration and funding, “the main goal for the event would be to raise enough money to feed all our underprivileged brothers in res”, said Williams.
To gain attention for the Simon4Simon fund, Simonsberg Men’s Residence held a market place outside the residence, while the students were hiking Simonsberg mountain. Pictured above is Ilanie Boonzaaier, at the market place. PHOTO: Liam Voorma.
Students helping students
“I have a NSFAS mate on my floor [who has] been a good friend of mine since first year,” said Johan Cloete, a member of Simonsberg residence. “I know he only eats once a day over weekends. So, I definitely had to do this [hike] to raise awareness.”
Simonsberg residents launched an extensive marketing campaign, leading up to the hike, with the hope of receiving donations towards the fund, said Willams.
While members from the residence did the hike, a market place, called Simon2Simon2Simon was set up in front of the residence to further raise attention for the fundraising initiative, he said.
Simonsberg Men’s Residence has initiated a funding scheme called Simon4Simon for its underprivileged students, said Dillon Williams, head of the fund, and member of Simonsberg. PHOTO: Liam Voorma
The long haul
The hikers left Simonsberg residence at around 6:30, said Liam Harrison, a 2024 Simonsberg house committee member.
A walking group, a jogging group, and a running group participated in the hike, said Harrison.
The first runner to make it back took roughly five and a half hours to complete the hike, according to Harrison.