This little girl is ready to save lives.
At just nine years old, Shannon Miseroole is possibly the youngest person to achieve a Level 1 First Aid certificate in the country, according to a facilitator at Clinical Dynamics, Michael Boucher.
The shy meisie from Lotus River, who was a victim of bullying for almost two years at her primary school, graduated as the youngest in her First Aid class this week.
ACHIEVE: Shannon's now a qualifed First Aider
Shannon was in Grade 3 at Plantation Primary in Grassy Park last year when she told her shocked mom of the bullying.
Audrey, 38, approached the Daily Voice when her efforts to get the principal to assist did not help. The distraught mom said the bully stabbed her daughter with a pencil, took her stationery and even made racist comments, calling her “witbrood” because she is fair-skinned and has a white dad.
Audrey said the matter had finally been resolved and Shannon was happy to be back at school.
“I got her involved in different activities to take her mind off the bullying and she chose First Aid because she said she wanted to help people,” says the mom.
Michael says Shannon is his youngest student yet and she might just be the youngest qualified First Aider in South Africa.
“Usually children who are bullied become bullies themselves and a cycle is started. Shannon was hurt, but she decided to help people,” says Michael.
“I am really excited about how well she has done and am thinking it might be a great idea to incorporate it into lessons at school.”
The course runs over two days and Michael says he had previously trained a 14-year-old.
Audrey says she is proud of Shannon and everything her little girl has achieved.
“Despite everything that had happened at the school, she has persevered and become stronger.”
Shannon adds: “I just want to help people and I know I can do it now.”