The Gift of Quality Education: A Legacy in Motion
- Ruth First Trust
- Oct 28
- 3 min read
Ruth First Jeppe Memorial Trust Donor–Learner Breakfast | 2 October 2025
The Ruth First Jeppe Memorial Trust recently hosted a heartwarming Donor–Learner Breakfast — a morning dedicated to gratitude, reflection, and connection. This special event brought together donors, mentors, trustees, and Ruth First recipients in celebration of the transformative power of education.
Held in the Jeppe High School for Girls Hall, the breakfast provided an opportunity for donors to see, first-hand, the impact of their generosity. Learners were seated alongside their sponsors, sharing their experiences and aspirations over breakfast. For many, it was a rare and meaningful chance to connect personally with those whose support has helped shape their educational journey.
The morning also served as a valuable learning experience for the girls — an exercise in gracious hosting, conversation, and confidence. They learned the art of making guests feel welcome and engaging meaningfully, developing a life skill that will serve them well beyond the school gates.
Stories that Inspire
Alumna Lerato Letele (RF2014) shared her powerful story of triumph and determination — a journey that began as a Ruth First recipient from the Kliptown Youth Programme (KYP) and led to success both academically and professionally. Lerato’s message to current scholars was clear: with support, perseverance, and belief, dreams once distant can become reality.
Adding to the morning’s inspiration, Trustee and 2006 Jeppe Head Girl, Tumi Mokete, delivered a moving address that captured the essence of what the Ruth First Trust stands for. She reminded guests that high school is not merely a phase of life but a bridge — one that connects childhood dreams to the opportunities of adulthood. “It’s where sparks catch fire,” she said, “where the quiet child learns to speak up, where the uncertain one discovers resilience.”
Reflecting on her own journey from Jeppe Girls to the University of the Witwatersrand and later Oxford, Tumi credited her high school experience for nurturing resilience and courage — the qualities that carried her through challenges such as failing her GMAT exam twice before ultimately succeeding and earning scholarships abroad.
In her words, “You, our donors, are not just sponsors. You are bridge-builders — gardeners who plant seeds in soil others dismiss as barren. Your giving is not about writing a cheque; it is about rewriting futures.”
A Shared Legacy
Her message to the learners resonated deeply: “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” The Ruth First recipients were reminded that their education is not theirs alone — it belongs to the families, communities, and donors who believe in them, and one day, they too will be the “windbreakers” protecting another’s flame.
As the morning drew to a close, guests left with hearts full — donors affirmed in the tangible impact of their support, and students inspired by the legacy they are now part of.
Because when we invest in education, we don’t just change one story — we change the story of tomorrow.
Robyn Hill
Trust Manager
Ruth First Jeppe Memorial Trust
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