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Jurie Pieterse
Edu-Train 93-2
I should have known better than to dig out the old Edu-Train manual and photos.
Paging through the manual and reading all the notes people wrote in it almost had me in tears. Ok. It had me in tears. Tears of joy, and regret in some ways.
"Dearest Jurie
You're completely incredible & I'm thrilled that we became such good friends. May all
your dreams come true. All my love. Lindy."
May all your dreams come true. How my dreams have
changed, in some ways! Back then I thought about going to university and being a director
of a company at the age of 45. Instead, I started my own freelance-below-the-line
advertising agency. And I went to the AAA School of Advertising and studied for a diploma
in Copywriting. Partime I did a diploma in Direct Marketing. I had two jobs as a
copywriter, then a strategic planner, won some awards and did great work. I'm living in
Gauteng, South Africa.
"I'm
convinced you'll do your best in everything you take on
(including becoming a millionaire). Lots of love Feriel."
Now I'm working at the advertising agency Leo Burnett Interactive. I'm the Digital Communications Manager and head up website and new media developments. My vision for the future has changed rapidly. Now I see myself as a director within the next 18 months and by the time I'm 32, I plan to have my own a global communications company. My goal is not becoming a millionaire. Though I will achieve it.
(Well how times change... About 6 months after writing the paragraph above, I started my own company, Virtual1. A Managing Director of a company that employs 5 people, in less than 18 months. And the global communications company - that's Virtual1, and well on track to achieve it 5 years earlier than I planned. Now I'm thinking about retiring at age 30!)
"Life is a journey, not a destination! Enjoy! Love Sheila"
Very good advice, especially for someone as goal oriented as myself. Thanks. I try to remember that at least once a month. I'm now studying for a B.Com through Unisa, majoring in Information Systems and Business Management. And strangely enough - I enjoy it very much.
If you truly want to change your world, my friend,
you must change your thinking.
Reason is your greatest tool,
it creates an atmosphere of understanding,
which leads to caring,
which is Love.
I cannot say that I am where I am
today because of the Edu-Train experience. Because I would have taken the same path
anyway. The train did leave an impression on my life. A large one.
The overall experience added to my values, accentuated my perceptions on life and society
and made me a better person for it, I believe. And the leadership skills I picked up there
is invaluable today.
Edu-Train has placed a
leader in society who is
more open minded, has more empathy for people and
better understands the hardships of many people in this country.
And that I suppose means that Edu-Train has been a success for me.
Keep smiling, keep shining,
knowing you can always count on me
for sure
that's what friends are for.
In good times, in bad times I'll be on your side forever more.
"You have the qualities of honesty and integrity." - Nick
Thank you to all who made my Edu-Train experience so life-impacting. You will always be my friends. My best friends. And if I should ever stray from being who I am, remind me about my life values.
If you never went on Edu-Train, stumbled across this page by some
accident. Know that the people who went on Edu-Train will make a positive difference in
South Africa. One of them will one day be a prominent minister. Many, great business
people. And some, brilliant social workers.
Go to the Edu-Train website.