Livingstone High School pupil Saadiqah Issacs, 15, has been selected to participate in a science summer camp in China, in July.
Saadiqah, from Belgravia, has a keen interest in robotics, and she was chosen for the camp, along with eight other pupils, by the Sakhikamva Foundation, a non-profit that helps to develop young talent in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Saadiqah’s physics and life sciences teacher, Lamida Thomas, will accompany her to the Belt and Road Teenager Maker Camp and Teacher Workshop in China’s Shaanxi province.
Sakhikamva Foundation executive manager Fatima Jakoet said the Grade 9 pupil had worked hard as part of the school’s Robostones robotics team. “Our job is to prepare the youth for the ever-changing world. We adapt and train them to be a global citizen leading to 2030 and 2040,” she said.
In March, Robostones competed against other schools in a robotics tournament organised by the Sakhikamva Foundation.
“I love doing robotics, and I am really excited to go to China,” said Saadiqah.
Livingstone High School principal Raliyah Ganie thanked Ms Jakoet and the Sakhikamva Foundation for giving Saadiqah the opportunity.
Her mother, Kashiefa Isaacs, said she was overwhelmed that her daughter had the opportunity to go to China.
“This will help put Livingstone High on the map, and with robotics, it made her really confident. This camp will be a good stepping stone for her future.”
Ms Jakoet said Sakhikamva would help to cover the pupils’ accommodation, but each pupil would need to raise about R50 000 for their plane tickets and daily expenses for the two-week camp.
To find out how you can help, contact Kashiefa Isaacs at 078 326 2269 or kashiefa.isaacs7@gmail.com or Livingstone High school at 021 671 5986 or livingstonehighschool@gmail.com.
