Fundraiser – things we learnt

The things you do for your children… Phew! The D-Day for the Fundraiser for the French tour of the French class at school finally happened on Friday. It was nail-biting and worrisome because we (Yvonne, the children and me) were fretting about getting in enough money to pay for the venue and show. Super Troupers, at the Barnyard at Cresta Mall in Johannesburg. Not even about starting to begin raising money for that French tour…


But we made it, and could pay back our due money last Tuesday already. And we made some money extra for the girls as well. We have declared it a success! But never again! You hear!

From now on my head will shake “NO!” when confronted with any misguided attempt of responsibility towards the school.

The things you learn when trying to raise money:

• There are lots of very nice people who really try to support you. Some people even gave us donations when they couldn’t make it on the evening.


• It took a lot of organizing between two of us to keep the ball rolling. I think it could have become too complicated when other become involved as well.


• The children help a lot with fundraising. Involve them!


• It helps to organize a fundraiser around a show and venue. We only worried about getting the tickets sold.


• Posters and flyers do not bring in the sales. It is your own network of friends that’s worth the most when trying to get a venue full.


• There are mean people out there. We got constant competition from a teacher at the school who organized the same type of event with the same show. We announced a long time before him what and when we were planning to do our fundraiser. (Very strange!)


• That same teacher made a lot of promises, but never followed through. (Why?)

We are very relieved, and very glad about the money raised. The children have a bit more in their banking accounts. It will be able to cover the visas, al least. Every bit helps!

Thanks to everybody who supported us!