Two organisations held a fund-raiser to help Shaziah Coetzee, a 12-year-old Bonteheuwel girl with Down syndrome, take part in a training programme in America.

Shaziah’s mother, Faseega Coetzee, is the founder of Genes to Success, an organisation that helps children with Down syndrome and their families. She is raising money for Shaziah and herself to attend the programme in Arizona in September. It is run by an organisation called Gigi’s Playhouse.

Ms Coetzee approached Chantel Isaacs, the founder of Tour Le’ Gay, to collaborate on a fund-raiser, the Mr and Miss True Heart pageant.

“Gigi’s is geared to train both children, parents and facilitators through teaching and workshops. The scholarship is for a four-month training course for both a facilitator and learner. We will have to be responsible for accommodation, meals and all travelling expenses,” Ms Coetzee said.

The pageant was held at the Dulcie September civic centre in Athlone on Saturday, but Ms Coetzee said more funds were needed as flight tickets alone for her and Shaziah would cost R50 000.

Ms Isaacs said: “As the LGBTQI community, we know all too well that there is still a stigma attached to us, and the same can be said about people with disabilities. We might look different, but we all want the same good things from life, like anybody else.”

She said the pageant would be an annual event.

“It’s hard work to put a pageant together, and we are appealing for people to support us in this cause, not just for Shaziah, but other children like her. We hope to grow this to help more children,” Ms Isaacs said.

Ms Coetzee said her dream for Shaziah and other children with disabilities was for them to have education and become independent and self-sufficient.

If you can assist, contact Ms Coetzee at faseegac@gmail.com or 064 199 2819.

Chantel Isaacs, founder of Tour Le’ Gay, and Faseega Coetzee, founder of Genes to Success, collaborated to hold the Mr and Miss True Heart beauty pageant.

Kendall Aikho and Irefaan Tregonning supported the fund-raiser.

Shazia Coetzee, 12, with one of the pageant judges, Valentina Petronella, who is the reigning Miss Pestova.

Back, from left, are Joey Conradie and Wesley Ounson. Front: Valentina Petronella; Latifah Jacobs; Maxine Persence; Rubee Lee Lineville; Shazia Coetzee, 12; and Garth Arnolds, Mr Gay Western Cape.

Supporting the cause, from left, are Denise Schroeder, Jenni-Lee Persence, Angeline Minnaar, Maxine Persence, and Rihana Persence.

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