“It’s my matric ball!” she could be heard exclaiming throughout the day, unable to control her excitement for what the night would hold.
And for Jade Paulse, a community of kind-hearted and generous individuals had pulled together to give her a night she truly would remember.
Jade (18) from Retreat was born with Down Syndrome. She attends the Glenbridge School in Wynberg and is one of a small group of less than 10 who will be leaving school this year.
Her mother, Arlene, says at the beginning of the year they were informed there would be no matric ball this year due to Covid-19.
“Just three weeks ago they told us there would be a matric ball. Without the help I would not have been able to give this to her,” says Arlene.
“Aasiyah Adams, who helped coordinate the event, and I worked together and I always said one day she would plan my daughter’s matric ball and here we are.”
Jade could not wait to put on her specially made dress and glittering shoes for the evening. She had practised her dance moves to “Wikkel Wikkel” and “Jerusalema”, ready to dance the night away.
“I have my poses and I am going to dance,” she says to People’s Post. “It’s my night.”
Baby blue is her favourite colour and Jade loves to dance. Her dream after leaving school is to be a dancer. Aasiyah says they are seeking assistance with a dance school for her.
Local Mitchell’s Plain dress maker Moerieda made her dress, Abaguquli, Igsaan and Omar Dick for drone videography, Basier Elmie of UtopiaCPT sponsored her shoes, Ruschda Petersen of the Twistee Lady made platters and Anthea Pearce from Baked by Anthea supplied a cake platter.
More platters were supplied by Shane Moosa and her nails done by Monique. Jade also had a perfume sponsored by Rushana Meyer Du Toit of Youghazi SA and her brows threaded by Brow Me.
Even her hair and make-up were cared for by Jasmin Baderoen of the salon Style Me Grand and stylist and make-up artist Nathan Kennedy
Saadieqah Goliath did the decor but the highlight of the evening for jade was the roaring classic Mustang sponsored by local entrepreneurs Naeem and Razaan Dadabhay. Aasiyah also thanked Fatima Razzak for her cash donation.
“It was not big companies who offered to help, it was small, small businesses,” says Aasiyah. “My shout-outs go out to the most amazing souls; thanks for making Jades night memorable, may your efforts be rewarded and may your business grow from strength to strength.”
Her post was shared on social media more than 1 000 times and by the morning of the event on Friday 27 November, sponsors were still calling to assist.
“I cannot thank all the sponsors enough. There are still good people in this world. I have prayed to God that you all must be blessed and that your businesses must prosper,” says Arlene.
