At the age of 25, Jayce De Villers (26) from Nelspruit, now working as an English teacher in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, finally embraced his true gender identity.
Born in a woman’s body, and sensing an attraction to the same sex, Jayce came out as a lesbian at the age of 12, but deep down sensed that he wasn’t being true to his authentic self.
“I knew something was wrong.. something was missing… something was not right. My past relationships never worked out due to my internal personal struggles,” says Jayce
Starting bodybuilding in 2018, as a vehicle to gain confidence (and mass), Jayce began entertaining the voice in his head telling him to embrace the man he always knew he was on the inside.
Jayce has finally embraced his true gender identity.
For the last 3 years, Jayce has been taking testosterone, which made a tremendous impact on not only his physical appearance but his mental health, too.
“From being masculine to having facial hair (still struggling) to my voice changing. I love what difference it has brought into my life, living in my own skin. But of course, there’s a lot still to accomplish before I would be okay with looking into the mirror and loving what I see.” – says Jayce
Taking strides towards self-actualization, Jayce has decided to take a giant leap, with the launch of a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to fund his top surgery in Thailand, estimated to cost R100 000.
“I hate to admit it but my breasts are something that kills me daily. To see the straps of my sports bra kills me. To wonder if my sports bra is showing underneath my button-up shirt kills me. To not swim at a beach because I don’t want another person coming to me and asking me why I wear a bra – kills me. I dream of the day where I can walk freely without a shirt and with confidence take a dip in the ocean or swimming pool with my beautiful wife.” – says Jayce
Jayce and his wife, Leandri
Jayce hopes that by sharing his story, he will not only be at home in his body, for the first time in his life but give other trans individuals the courage to live their truth.
“Having this surgery will finally grant me the freedom I have craved so desperately my whole life. Please open your heart to my story, and join me on this journey, whether your participation is a donation, a share, or a kind comment. This gesture of kindness and respect will mean the world to me, and empower others to take a step away from darkness, insecurity, self-loathing and into the light”
Jayce is ready for his top surgery.
“I’ve honestly never thought I would get things started in regards to Top Surgery and I’ve always envied a lot of people who put things in motion. Everyone before me and everyone after me who follows their hearts and lives a life worth living to themselves is an inspiration .” – says Jayce
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/jayce-de-villiers
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/JayceDevilliers
“The road to Gender Affirming Healthcare is not an easy one. Gender dysphoria is real and in certain cases results in death due to mental wellness. Medical Aids need to realise that this journey is not cosmetic. It takes true wisdom to fathom the unique difference between sex and gender.” – says Leila Ebrahim, from Gender DynamiX
Gender DynamiX (GDX), established in 2005, is the first registered Africa-based public benefit organisation to focus solely on trans and gender diverse communities. What started as a mere vision, slowly grew into a grassroots organisation. GDX has since become an institutionalised non-profit organisation (NPO) that is fundamental to the development of the trans and gender diverse movement(s) in South Africa and across southern Africa.
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R312 Million.
With the ongoing unrest in Ukraine due to the devastating Russian Invasion, The Gift of the Givers has sprung into disaster management mode, working with South Africans on the ground, and various organisations to support repatriation efforts, deliver essential items and medical equipment to those in desperate need.
The initiative came to life at short notice, through various messages The Gift of The Givers received during the first days of the attack.
The first was a South African man, who managed to escape from Kyiv with his wife, who is from Ukraine when the bombing intensified.
At their new place of safety, The Gift of the Givers asked the couple to source supplies including food, baby food, diapers, sanitary pads, hygiene packs, warm clothes and essential medicines, from small shops and wholesalers, to ensure their availability as prices were skyrocketing.
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder of The Gift of the Givers
Providing disaster intervention training at a distance has been an interesting challenge for The Gift of the Givers, says founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman who commends the volunteers who have been ‘beyond incredible in applying the theory practically.’
“We are expanding the teams and are organising them inside the “hot spots” where there is no entry point for supplies and are replicating the process, finding shops, supplying the funds, identifying specific needs and supplying.When you can’t get items from outside, be resourceful and find everything inside.”
Orphans, the elderly, ordinary people are all being assisted. We are funding the intervention by paying for fuel and everything associated with the purchase and delivery of essential and very basic necessities. We are setting up multiple storage areas. The teams are held by the hand and guided on the approach to disasters on a daily basis.” – says Dr Imtiaz Sooliman
The second request, The Gift of the Givers received, came from a cardiothoracic anaesthetist, who is also being guided on disaster management, the first lesson being on how to practise “emotional distancing”.
The person crossed into Ukraine on the 10th of March and is being provided with fuel and funds to purchase essential items from Europe to expand the scope, scale and speed of the intervention.
For members of the public hoping to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, The Gift of the Givers have launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, with a moving target of R1 Million rand.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/intervenes-in-ukraine
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/GiftofTheGiversUkraineAid
“The Gift of the Givers’ resilience and compassion is a true reflection of the South African spirit. We are exceptionally proud to partner with this incredible organisation, who strives to uplift humanity not just at home, but all over the globe” – says Catherine Du Plooy, BackaBuddy COO.
Foundations and companies alike are working with The Gift of the Givers to help in this time of crisis, where so many people are devastated, displaced, in shock and in despair.
“The Ukraine Association of South Africa has partnered with us. They are connected to medical personnel inside Ukraine. Medical supplies are being sourced inside the country and together with their own financial contributions, we will commence purchases of these life-saving materials for health facilities “trapped” in the hot spots.” says Dr Imtiaz Sooliman
Discussions have been held with medical aid societies, pharmaceutical companies and health facilities in South Africa to supply essential medicines which will be sent by commercial flight to support all other medical requirements inside Ukraine.
Suzanne Ackerman from the Ackerman Family Foundation has pledged R1.5 million towards the repatriation of South African and African students. McKinsey is putting together a package for the same purpose. DIRCO has also been engaging with Gift of the Givers on the repatriation matter.
For members of the public hoping to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, The Gift of the Givers have launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, with a moving target of R1 Million rand.
The Ukrainian Ambassador, Dr Liubov Abravitova, thanked the Gift of the Givers at a press conference on Monday, 7 March 2022, for their intervention in Ukraine and has requested a meeting to discuss humanitarian initiatives as soon as they are available.
The Gift of the Givers Foundation is the largest disaster response non-governmental organisation of African origin on the African continent. The essence of their presence is to bring hope and restore dignity to the most vulnerable.Over the last 27 years, they have delivered over R2.1 billion in aid to 43 countries around the world, including South Africa
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R312 Million.
Pictured above: Kristina Oliinyk (31), who was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, has been living in Vredehoek, Cape Town for the last 7 years.
Since Russia unleashed a series of unprovoked attacks on Ukraine on 24 February 2022, at least 102 civilians have been killed, and 304 people have been injured, UN Human Rights Chief, Michelle Bachelet, told Sky News.
Seeking refuge, over 100 000 individuals have fled their homes to neighbouring countries such as Romania, Moldova, Poland, and Hungary, to escape the devastation.
Kristina Oliinyk (31), who was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and has been living in Vredehoek, Cape Town for the last 7 years, was woken up at 4am by a distressing phone call from her mother as Putin announced the military operation.
She then turned on the TV, and watched the news in horror with concerned individuals around the world.
“I was heartbroken and felt so helpless” – says Kristina
Overcome with worry for her family, friends, and the people of her country who are currently living in fear, unable to access resources, have been displaced or injured, Kristina is appealing to the world not to turn their backs on her beloved Ukraine.
Many civilians are unable to leave, as any movement increases their risk of being shot.
My mom isn’t able to get to the bomb shelter 10 minutes from her home, in fear of losing her life, like so many who are being killed on their way to Poland.
My friend who is pregnant was faced with the difficult decision to stay home or leave, after a rocket burned down a house in her neighbourhood. Frightened for her life, and the future of her unborn child, she sleeps in a bathtub.
I have friends who stay in smaller towns, without bomb shelters who have been sleeping in their cars, unsure how tomorrow will be.
Thankfully, my sister who is looking after my gran who recently had a stroke, have both arrived safely in Warsaw.
Pictured above: A photo Kristina took on a recent trip back home. Kristina’s mom (far left), and her friends, are in danger in the Ukraine.
“Every hour our soldiers are catching the rockets from Russia in the sky and it’s very intense. It’s only the beginning of this unforgivable war. People are staying in underground shelters with their little kids, pets, disabled parents. Some people don’t have anywhere to escape to” – says Kristina
“Putin ignores the fact that Ukraine has been a separate sovereign country since 1991 when the USSR collapsed. He still lives in the past and says that Ukrainians and Russians are “one”. Human rights don’t exist for Putin.”
To assist humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and soften the impact of the crisis on the lives of ordinary people, Kristina has launched a crowdfunding campaign on, BackaBuddy, to benefit Nova Ukraine, a 501(c)3 registered non-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening civil society in Ukraine.
“Ukraine is not attacking anyone, and they never tried to expand their borders; My people are at home, protecting what belongs to them. We were born in Ukraine, and we are not going anywhere. Ukrainian people need all the support they can get at the moment.” – says Kristina
The fundraising target, which is expected to increase as more help is needed, has currently been set at R500 000 ($32 700), to help Ukrainian people and hospitals with essentials.
“This war is not only against Ukraine but against democracy and democratic values of the independent country which has its own traditions, language & borders, which was fighting for their rights to exist for generations. We can’t just sit and watch while a catastrophe of this scale is happening in 2022. The only hope is for the world to hear us,” says Kristina
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/Kristina-Oliinyk-supports-Ukraine
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/KOSUkraine
Funds raised by this campaign will be transferred daily to Nova Ukraine.
BackaBuddy is a global, safe and secure fundraising platform, based in South Africa that accepts donations both locally and internationally.
https://instagram.com/makeitbrightcapetown
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R330 Million.
Pictured above: Ashley and her daughter, Liané
Since the start of her life, 8-month old, Liané Roux from Secunda, Mpumalanga has faced a number of serious health issues as a result of being born with 3 congenital heart defects.
Concerned that their daughter (who was 4 months old at the time) was showing signs of a fever, had difficulty breathing, and was tired all the time, dotting parents Ashley (26) and Quintin Roux (36), took her to their local hospital, where she was initially diagnosed with a Grade 5 Cardiac Systolic Murmur.
A week later, after seeing a heart specialist at Steve Biko hospital, the family learned that Liané’s condition was much greater anticipated, discovering that she was born with 3 congenital heart defects: VSD, DORV and TGA.
As a result of her condition, Liané is at high risk of getting respiratory infections and ultimately suffering heart failure.
After meeting with the Maboneng Heart and Lung Institute in Johannesburg, the only hospital willing to perform Liané’s surgery, the Roux family were distraught, realising that between R800 000 to R1 Million rand is needed to save their daughter’s life.
Proud parents Ashley and Quintin holding Liané
Reaching out to the public for support during this devastating time, the family has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, to make up the astronomical cost of the surgery, as they don’t have medical aid.
Grateful for the supporters who have shared their appeal and made generous donations to the sum of R94 000, the Roux family are ‘counting the days’ until Liané can put her difficult first chapter behind her.
“Words cannot describe the level of fear and heartbreak we felt hearing the words ‘heart failure’, knowing we have a financial mountain to climb and a race against time, to save the life of our little angel. We couldn’t be more thankful for the community that has formed around us to help fix Liané’s heart” – says Quintin
Liané is at home on oxygen after she landed in hospital again. We are raising against time as she needs the operation as soon as possible.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/liane-roux
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/LianeRoux
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R260 Million.
Dale Benson (39), an educator from Cape Town, South Africa, who had been teaching English in Vietnam, arrived safely home on the 15th of July after receiving the devastating news that he is dying of stage 4 cancer.
After experiencing severe stomach pains for a couple weeks, Dale was rushed to hospital on Friday, 2 July 2021 for an emergency operation, when doctors found cancer in the whole of his abdominal area.
Without medical aid, Dale, who was in ‘bad shape and in a lot of pain’, was being treated at the University hospital in Hanoi. The doctors had estimated that he had about one month to live without chemotherapy
As Dale’s mother, Inge Bosman, was unable to fly to Vietnam, due to their borders being closed because of the pandemic, the family made arrangements to have Dale airlifted out of the country with a medical plane, which estimated to cost an astronomical amount.
“It’s difficult to express the exact emotions I am feeling in words, to be able to thank each person for their generosity towards me. Even though we are experiencing a global pandemic and every penny counts these days, all of you without hesitation came forward to donate to my cause. I will never be able to thank you enough. I truly hope one day in whatever life it may be that I can be there for you. I am going to fight this disease with every piece of strength I have. Warrior mode activated. Love you all to the moon and back.” _ says Dale.
To assist the family with funds to cover the cost of the trip, and get Dale the best possible medical care on South African soil, a friend of the family, Karen Baschiera, launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to appeal to the public for support.
Since the launch of the campaign on 6 July 2021, over R209 000 has been raised through generous contributions from 459 donors.
“I am overwhelmed by the financial and emotional support from each and every person that commented..Has put me in a such a loved space” – says Inge.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/dale-benson
https://pos.snapscan.io/qr/dale-benson
“I am currently busy with my 8th round of chemo. At the end of this month, I will be given a 3-month break from it and continue again in May. The first scan I had a few months ago showed that the chemo was able to dry up the ascites fluid which was causing so many problems for me. I was hardly able to eat and my health was declining rapidly. I was admitted to hospice for them to monitor me. After spending 3 days there I managed to somehow get well enough to be discharged. It was then my chemo journey started and after a month or 2, I was feeling so much better.
The chemo of course has its own side effects but staying positive and managing the effects makes it tolerable. I have changed my diet and unfortunately had to cut out things (sugar) which is not easy but definitely helping with my success of beating this illness. So it’s been around 8 months and today. I am feeling strong”, says Dale.
I wake up each day grateful to start a new day with a smile on my face and a warrior spirit in my heart. Every day I also think of all the wonderful humans that helped me get to where I am today. I am going to continue fighting whilst living the best life I can live. My next scan will be in a few months and I will then be able to see how the treatment is going. Will update you all again then. ❤️ – says Dale
South Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform, BackaBuddy has supported more than 10 000+ individuals and charities in setting up fundraising campaigns for medical fees, tuition and various causes in South Africa. The platform has thus far raised over R260 Million.