Professor Karin Baatjes has surpassed her goal of raising R49 000 for the iThemba Bursary Fund.
In her efforts to provide critical financial support to students at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Baatjes, the FMHS’s Vice Dean: Learning and Teaching, has inspired people from all over the country to give in the name of education.
“Thank you so very much to each and every one who donated. You are helping our students with iThemba bursaries to get towards their goal of completing their qualifications,” Baatjes told supporters who have been following her journey on social media.
She might have reached her target, but the fun isn’t over yet – she has planned three more runs, and the GivenGain page is still open and ready to receive donations that goes directly towards the iThemba Bursary Fund, which provides financial support to FMHS students. Follow her on Facebook for more information on upcoming runs.
Inspiration
After recovering from Covid-19 in December 2022, Baatjes set the goal of raising R49 000 by running 49 kilometres for her 49th birthday on 31 January. “One rand for every metre run, 49 000 meters with a goal of R49 000.” All donations will go towards the FMHS’s Ithemba Bursary Fund which was established eight years ago to provide financial support to students who do not qualify for funding via funding structures managed by the University, the government and/or private entities.
As part of the project, Baatjes recruited SU’s Law Trust Research Chair Prof Thuli Madonsela to complete 5km with her at the Stellenbosch Campus.
Says Baatjes: “Education is a basic human right, yet, the stark reality is that there are many qualifying students who do not have the financial resources to register for their studies and complete their tertiary education. Please support this campaign by donating to every meter that I run. In doing so, you’re being a champion for access to education.”
Help Prof Baatjes reach her goal by clicking here: https://www.givengain.com/ap/karin-baatjies-raising-funds-for-stellenbosch-university-south-africa/#timeline
