Ermin-Lee Classen never felt comfortable smiling on photographs due to his missing front teeth. But thanks to the generosity of a friend who works for the North Belfast and Shankill Area Project in the country, the 21-year-old from Blanco won't ever have to feel self-conscious again.
Shortly after arriving in Belfast, Alan Waite surprised the RealStart student with a visit to a local dental practice where he was fitted with partial dentures.
Waite decided to pay for the dental treatment after meeting Ermin earlier this year during a trip to George with teenagers from the Area Project.
Alan said while spending time in South Africa with RealStart over the Easter break, Ermin made a real impact on him. "His willingness to help and support others less fortunate than himself really caught my attention.
"When we were leaving George, Ermin cycled miles across town in the early hours to say goodbye and help us with our luggage to the van. This act of kindness really touched me and I always said that I would like to repay his kindness some day."
Alan said seeing Ermin smile with his new teeth made him feel happy and hoped this would help him grow in confidence and self-esteem.
Since returning home, Ermin's friends and family have been overwhelmed by his new appearance.
"I think the new smile fits me perfectly and I can now smile without feeling self-conscious. Whenever I look in the mirror and see my new teeth it brightens up my day. It has also boosted my confidence and I think my smile goes miles."
Ermin was joined by four other students from RealStart for the 'Africa to Belfast 2012' tour. During their stay, the group spent time with young people and staff from the North Belfast and Shankill Area Project. This project focuses on the personal and social development of young people in the local community.
The students had the opportunity to work alongside trained youth workers and visit a number of youth centres in the community.
They also took part in a one-week summer camp to learn more about youth work in Northern Ireland. Activities at the camp included coasteering, surfing and mapping.
Student Elizma Meiring (19), also from Pacaltsdorp, said the whole trip was a highlight, from when they stepped on the plane in Cape Town until they said farewell to their friends in Belfast.
"It really opened my eyes and made me realise how fortunate me and my family are. We don't have a lot of materialistic things, but we still have each other. The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Robinson personally welcomed the group to the city during a tour of Belfast City Hall and local councillor, Alderman McCourney, presented them with a commemorative plaque.
The students also visited some of the other local tourist sites, including Belfast Castle and the Peace Walls that still divide the Catholic and Protestant communities.
Funds to cover the costs of the trip were raised in Northern Ireland by the North Belfast and Shankill Area Project and Integrated Services for Children and Young People (ISCYP).
Alan Waite said having the RealStart team in Northern Ireland was a huge success. "The impact that the students have had on our young people has been overwhelming to say the least. The new relationships will last a lifetime and the memories will make us smile forever. South Africa should be really proud of RealStart and the amazing work that they carry out on a daily basis."
RealStart is a Christian non-pro-fit organisation that works closely with disadvantaged young people from impoverished communities in George, helping them to change their lives, set their future career path and become positive role models.
Jonathan Stanton-Humphreys, Founder and Director of RealStart, said they wanted to give these students the opportunity to experience a different culture and see the challenges that young people face across the world.
"This was the first time that this group had ever travelled overseas and throughout the tour I watched them each grow as individuals. The new skills and life lessons they have learned will hopefully stay with them for years to come.
"The generosity of the people we spent time with in Northern Ireland was also overwhelming and I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone from the North Belfast and A student from a youth development programme in George hasn't stopped smiling since returning from the trip of a lifetime to Northern Ireland.
Ermin-Lee Classen never felt comfortable smiling on photographs due to his missing front teeth. But thanks to the generosity of a friend who works for the North Belfast and Shankill Area Project in the country, the 21-year-old from Blanco won't ever have to feel self-conscious again.
Shortly after arriving in Belfast, Alan Waite surprised the RealStart student with a visit to a local dental practice where he was fitted with partial dentures.
Waite decided to pay for the dental treatment after meeting Ermin earlier this year during a trip to George with teenagers from the Area Project.
Alan said while spending time in South Africa with RealStart over the Easter break, Ermin made a real impact on him. "His willingness to help and support others less fortunate than himself really caught my attention.
"When we were leaving George, Ermin cycled miles across town in the early hours to say goodbye and help us with our luggage to the van. This act of kindness really touched me and I always said that I would like to repay his kindness some day."
Alan said seeing Ermin smile with his new teeth made him feel happy and hoped this would help him grow in confidence and self-esteem.
Since returning home, Ermin's friends and family have been overwhelmed by his new appearance.
"I think the new smile fits me perfectly and I can now smile without feeling self-conscious. Whenever I look in the mirror and see my new teeth it brightens up my day. It has also boosted my confidence and I think my smile goes miles."
Ermin was joined by four other students from RealStart for the 'Africa to Belfast 2012' tour. During their stay, the group spent time with young people and staff from the North Belfast and Shankill Area Project. This project focuses on the personal and social development of young people in the local community.
The students had the opportunity to work alongside trained youth workers and visit a number of youth centres in the community.
They also took part in a one-week summer camp to learn more about youth work in Northern Ireland. Activities at the camp included coasteering, surfing and mapping.
Student Elizma Meiring (19), also from Pacaltsdorp, said the whole trip was a highlight, from when they stepped on the plane in Cape Town until they said farewell to their friends in Belfast.
"It really opened my eyes and made me realise how fortunate me and my family are. We don't have a lot of materialistic things, but we still have each other. The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Robinson personally welcomed the group to the city during a tour of Belfast City Hall and local councillor, Alderman McCourney, presented them with a com-
memorative plaque.
The students also visited some of the other local tourist sites, including Belfast Castle and the Peace Walls that still divide the Catholic and Protestant communities.
Funds to cover the costs of the trip were raised in Northern Ireland by the North Belfast and Shankill Area Project and Integrated Services for Children and Young People (ISCYP).
Alan Waite said having the RealStart team in Northern Ireland was a huge success. "The impact that the students have had on our young people has been overwhelming to say the least. The new relationships will last a lifetime and the memories will make us smile forever. South Africa should be really proud of RealStart and the amazing work that they carry out on a daily basis."
RealStart is a Christian non-profit organisation that works closely with disadvantaged young people from impoverished communities in George, helping them to change their lives, set their future career path and become positive role models.
Jonathan Stanton-Humphreys, Founder and Director of RealStart, said they wanted to give these students the opportunity to experience a different culture and see the challenges that young people face across the world.
"This was the first time that this group had ever travelled overseas and throughout the tour I watched them each grow as individuals. The new skills and life lessons they have learned will hopefully stay with them for years to come.
"The generosity of the people we spent time with in Northern Ireland was also overwhelming and I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone from the North Belfast and Shankill Area Project.
RealStart students from George with friends from the North Belfast and Shankill Area Project at Belfast Castle. RealStart is a Christian non-profit organisation that works closely with disadvantaged young people from impoverished communities in George.
