In 2012, Marcia Lebambo started a foundation that helps students in township and rural areas improve their reading and writing skills through spelling bees. Her major inspiration was experience. Marcia who went to a rural school had developed low self esteem and by the time she moved to another school her confidence level was low.
After graduation she decided that she couldn’t allow other children in rural schools go through the same thing hence she started the Marcia Lebambo Foundation with hopes that the initiative would improve the quality of basic education in South Africa, especially in rural areas.
Four years after inception, the foundation has done over and above that. Over a thousand students have participated in the program and apart from improving their grammar skills, the spelling bee has enhanced confidence and competitive spirit of the students. Marcia believes that the fight for quality education should not be left to the government alone.
Although the foundation is self funded, the achievement she has recorded so far makes all the sacrifice worth it
Marcia says that the Late Nelson Mandela is a great inspiration. According to her, “If the late Mandela could move the entire world behind prison bars, what is actually stopping me? “
