Daily Voice readers, as well as a well-known college and several businesses, have come forward to offer their help to a young female backyard mechanic from Hanover Park.
Last week Chantal Ruiter, 22, told her remarkable story of how she was forced to leave school in Grade 10 after she fell pregnant with her son who is now four years old.
Chantal lives with her family and was taught how to fix cars by her dad Shane Daniels, 53, who is an auto electrician, and brother Wageed Ruiter, 36, who is a motor mechanic.
The men have imparted their skills on Chantal since she was 15.
The family’s yard is always full of cars to be fixed, and Shane says he can leave his daughter to fix anything while just keeping a watchful eye.
Chantal said her dream was to study further, but she was unable to afford it.
Her family fixes cars and also runs a huiswinkel to make ends meet.
Soon after the article was published, Sandra Raubenheimer, the deputy CEO of Innovation and Development at Northlink College was one of the first people to contact the Daily Voice to offer her help.
“I read the online article about Chantal Ruiter and I think this is such a remarkable story,” says Sandra.
She said they might be able to offer Chantal a motor mechanic’s course.
The college has arranged to meet with Chantal this week.
An employee at a major motor industry company has also offered an employment opportunity to Chantal, while many readers have congratulated the young mom for following her dreams despite the odds.
Speaking to the Daily Voice on Friday, an overwhelmed Chantal said she was grateful for the chance to study further: “Thanks for everything you did for me.
“It means a lot to me to see there are people reaching out to help me. I will grab it because this kind of opportunity only comes once,” the young mom said.