Dos Santos aims to touch lives
"You are your own person with your own dreams and you must follow them no matter what. Don’t waste your time on something that doesn’t fulfill you. One day, your heart might be filled with regret because you never took that chance.”
Avril Dos Santos (30), a model and role model from Eden Park, has a strong desire to uplift others.
A project manager at an engineering organisation, Avril is passionate about social development and bringing about change in her community, primarily through empowering the youth.
“I live for people,” she proudly says.
She is a well-known model and has been in the top 100 of Miss South Africa and is now in the top 10 for Mrs Grand South Africa.
Avril wants to use her fame to make a positive impact on the youth.
She gives Sunday school classes every week, but feels that is not enough.
“It’s only one hour per week, and if things aren’t going right at their homes, Sunday school is barely going to change their negative attitudes,” she says.
Avril is busy establishing a business, where she wants to train young people as entrepreneurs.
She says: “The kids in Eden Park never do anything. They go to school and on weekends they just hang around doing nothing. That’s not a positive way of living. Life just passes them by. I want to empower them through this business to realise their own potential and uncover their talents – and think positive.
“People are so important in anyone’s life and I am so thankful that I was surrounded by people who loved me, cared about me and supported me in whatever I wanted to do,” she adds. “Not many people are so lucky. If it weren’t for them, I would not be the woman I am today.”
Avril’s message to the readers: “I encourage every young person to be aware of the world around them and have an open mind. Think for yourself – don’t just follow in your parents’ footsteps because you feel you have to. You are your own person with your own dreams and you must follow them no matter what. Don’t waste your time on something that doesn’t fulfil you. One day, your heart might be filled with regret because you never took that chance.”
Avril will be hosting a family walk on Saturday, May 6, at the Eden Park Stadium. The event is in aid of the Reinhardt Drewel Foundation which raises awareness of drowning and assists non-fatal drowning survivors.
Funds will go towards her youth empowerment business.
For more information on this event, or if you want to donate to her business, feel free to contact Avril on 082 045 3572 or pop an email to avrildossantos0@gmail.com
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