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As Shineen van der Heyde takes the first step towards making her dream a reality, she’s already making plans to pay it forward.
Last year, Shineen attended a Care for Caregivers workshop facilitated by Aids Response which aims to teach caregivers to take better care of themselves. Sharing her dream of becoming a matron created an opportunity for her to do just that. Both Aids Response volunteer, Karen Pratt and Colin Brett, Karen’s supervisor, were inspired by her drive and enthusiasm and felt an immediate urge to take action.
With their help of donations, Shineen enrolled to become an assistant nurse. Soon afterwards, her talents were spotted and she was chosen as one of the few class members with the most potential to succeed and qualified nurse.
Presently, Shineen is gaining work experience within different nursing environments from paediatric nursing to working with the elderly. So far, working with children has proved to be her special skill, and she hopes to work in this field when she qualifies. “I love all my patients,” she says, “But working with the children is my favourite.” Her love for the nursing field is evident when she compares herself to a relative who would be relieved that his family would no longer have to work if he won the Lotto. Shineen has other ideas. “I would still do this. The money would be nice, but I’m happy.”
It’s not the fact that getting up at five every morning after studying until after midnight that’s most impressive – even though her dedication has seen her marks go from adequate passes to ninety per cent – nor is it the fact that after only a few months of work experience, she’s in demand for formal job placement.. What seems to be the greatest testament to Shineen’s suitability to work in a field that requires one to constantly put others first, is her willingness to go above and beyond her duties and assist other trainee nurses find permanent employment.
Even though Shineen insists on paying back her study fees, her donors won’t entertain the idea. They feel Shineen’s new career will sustain a future for herself and her family – and that’s payment enough. She’s decided to reward their generosity in another way. Her solution? ‘Paying it forward’. She plans to help other worthy nursing candidates to find financial assistance, using the contacts she’s made and her own future earnings.
The dream of becoming a matron, however, holds Shineen’s focus. “I’ll do this,” She says, “Even if it takes me twenty years, I’ll do this.”
If you want to pay it forward too, the Aids Trust could use your help with its Care for Caregivers programme. Find out more here, or call Lorna or Mandisa on 021 448 7228.