Kenneth Phooko has already cleared the sporting bar. Through his performances in high jump, the 16-year-old Hoërskool Jeugland learner qualified for South Africa’s team at the World Athletics U20 Championships in the United States.
Qualification brought a second challenge. Athletics South Africa could cover team accommodation, while athletes still needed to fund flights, visas and related travel expenses.
Kenneth’s family began with a BackaBuddy campaign. When momentum slowed, his mother asked local businesses and friends to contribute prizes for a raffle. Almost 20 prizes followed, along with support from teachers, school families, athletics circles and strangers.
The response turned one athlete’s trip into a community project. For Kenneth, every ticket, share and message is a reminder that people believe not only in one competition, but in the years of discipline that earned his place there
What people made possible
- Kenneth qualified through his athletics performance.
- Community businesses supported a family-run raffle with prizes.
- Funds contribute to flights, visa costs and other travel not covered by the federation.
View the campaign
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