Robin's Story

20-year-old Robin grew up on Houmoed farm in Stellenbosch where she lives with her family. Her mother works in the vineyards on Villiera wine farm and raised Robin and her siblings as a single parent. Robin attended the Pebbles Project Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre on Villiera wine farm when she was just a baby. When she turned six, she joined the Pebbles Project After-School Club. As a young girl, Robin dreamed of becoming a fashion designer one day. Robin’s love for fashion was inspired by her mother. She says: “As a little girl, I would go sit by my Mom and watch her sew.” Robin started making dresses for her dolls and fell in love with sewing. Unfortunately, Robin failed to pass her final year of high school. However, that didn’t stop her from pursuing her dream. She was assisted by the Pebbles Project Early Adulthood Programme Manager to complete the Clothing Manufacturing Processes Level 2 course at Boland College in Paarl. Robin completed the course and was accepted to complete an internship with renowned South African fashion designer Genevieve Atelier where she gained valuable practical skills. We are excited to announce that Robin plans to design and manufacture clothing items to be sold at the Pebbles Project Clothing Thrift Shop at Cocreate Hub in Stellenbosch. Robin is thrilled to have the opportunity to sell her designs and she’s excited about this new venture. She says: “Life is tough out there, I see it every day out on the farms. I hope to inspire other young adults on my farm to follow their dreams.” Robin believes that Pebbles Project has helped shape her into the confident young woman that she is today. She says: “Pebbles teach you so many things. They taught me to never give up. They will help you and make sure that you keep on trying until you succeed. Pebbles has definitely changed my life.”