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Newfoundland teen commemorates mother’s life through charitable works

Maike van Niekerk (supplied)
Maike van Niekerk (supplied)

Maike van Niekerk was only 15 years old when her mother passed away from breast cancer. She remembers the last months of her mother’s life still being joyful ones, thanks to the work of devoted volunteers.

“I have dedicated my entire life to commemorating her (my mom) through volunteering and advocating to improve the lives of others,” van Niekerk, now 19, told Yahoo Canada. “In reflecting on the last few months of her life, I remember the smiles and joy that volunteers brought to her (my mom). Therefore, when I am asked what motivates me to do the initiatives I do the answer is simple - everyday I have a chance to see and remember my mother’s smile in the individuals that I help.”

The memories of that smile have inspired van Niekerk’s numerous philanthropic organizations that support healthcare and education locally and abroad. These initiatives got the attention of Plan Canada, a Canadian charity dedicated to helping children around the world, and they recently made van Niekerk one of their 2015 Top 20 Under 20 award recipients. This award celebrates Canadian youth who are impacting the world through leadership and innovative projects that effect positive change.

Many individuals have the misconception that if you want to make a difference you have to do something big and flashy...Find something that you want to change. Once you have found that thing, start small.

—Maike van Niekerk

“Winning the Top 20 Under 20 award was one of the proudest, most incredible, and humbling experiences of my entire life,” she says. “The other 19 award winners are the most innovative, caring, and inspirational individuals I have ever met, and knowing that I am grouped among these youth made me realize the difference my contributions have made. This award has allowed me to find a new spark of confidence and inspiration to further my projects and continue to inspire other youth.”

One of van Niekerk’s projects was to raise $35,000 by cycling across Newfoundland for Katrin’s Karepackage, an initiative to help offset travel expenses for the province’s cancer patients who have to commute to the only radiation treatment centre in Newfoundland.

Maike van Niekerk (supplied)
Maike van Niekerk (supplied)

“Biking across Newfoundland for Katrin’s Karepackage was the most mentally and physically demanding undertaking I have experienced,” she says of her journey across the province. “It was also the most rewarding. Every day I would be stopped by families on the side of the road who simply wanted to thank me for what I was doing to help their loved ones. Seeing their smiles and happiness during such a difficult time overshadowed all of the mental and physical ailments I was experiencing. Many families in Newfoundland have felt the hand of cancer; this bike ride allowed us to come together as a community to foster positive action and hope for the future.”

However, Katrin’s Karepackage is just one of van Niekerk’s initiatives as she was also inspired to influence change abroad after volunteering as a nurse in Nepal.

“Over the Christmas break, I travelled to Nuwakot, Nepal to volunteer as a nursing intern. While I was there, I was taken aback by the lack of educational resources in the schools, and yet how dedicated the children were to their education,” she says. “Upon my return to Canada, I set up an initiative, SIGNA, to provide books and pencils for all six primary schools in Nuwakot. I hope this initiative will use education as a medium for these youth to become empowered to become future leaders in their communities.”

Van Niekerk has found work that she is passionate about and that, she says, is where all youth looking to influence change should start.

“Many individuals have the misconception that if you want to make a difference you have to do something big and flashy,” she says. “My advice to youth is to find something you are passionate about. Find something that means something to you. Find something that you want to change. Once you have found that thing, start small. Through gaining experience, community connections, and knowledge, your initiatives will slowly grow over time and have the greatest chance for success.”

This busy teen may be studying full-time for an oncology-focused Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Dalhousie University, but she always makes space in her schedule to volunteer and conduct research on breast cancer in Aboriginal women to commemorate her mother.

“Every day I dedicate countless hours to my numerous philanthropic initiatives to shed light on various issues faced by vulnerable populations with the hope of inspiring and empowering others to take action to create change in the lives of those around them,” she says.

“I hope my initiatives will improve people’s lives by providing them with the necessary tools and resources for them to make the best choices to improve their health, safety, and well-being.”