Betty’s Bay resident, Candice-Leigh Dorman is on a mission to make a difference in the lives of the woman vendors of The Big Issue, a self-published magazine produced by a non-profit social enterprise, that provides employment opportunities for the jobless.
“I have always wanted to work with The Big Issue vendors. It just took several years for me to build a platform that was strong enough to propel others to support me in terms of individuals and sponsors,” Candice told Bolander.
“My parents have always taught me that there are others that don’t have and that I should be grateful. This was instilled from a young age. In the same essence supporting these vendors have given me a purpose in life and this is what I will do for the rest of my life. I believe that these vendors want to feel loved and cared for rather than victims, and that is why female empowerment is so important to me and sponsors that I choose to work with embody this.”
Candice plans to establish a homeless shelter for these woman vendors. “My vision is to collect corporate sponsorships and auction my images to build and sustain a homeless shelter, as I know that this is an attainable dream. I would also like to create a vendor trust in the name of these vendors so that they can reach their dreams,” says Candice.
“My vision is to find premises near to The Big Issue that is accessible to these vendors. Without a doubt, when we do gain investors, Woodstock is my chosen source of location.”
Candice’s humanitarian initiative, The Bigger Picture, has yet to raise money towards achieving this goal, but she has managed to secure a number of sponsorships of goods and services.
“We’ve been offered complimentary stay to the value of
R12 000, fashion and accessories in the form of mother and daughter gift sets, monthly yoga classes for vendors at a sponsored venue, a mother/baby pampering hamper for a vendor with a newborn baby, a complimentary spa day for a vendor who has suffered from cancer, bathing costumes for vendors with children and monthly makeovers for female vendors showing promise,” Candice said.
A graduate of Stellenbosch University, and a published photographer, Candice was also inspired by her grandfather, Basil Brice.
“My grandfather, who has Springbok colours for boxing, was recently given a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to boxing in South Africa. He organised the first non-racial boxing event on Robben Island in 1974. I want to make him proud.”
Anybody who would like to contribute to Candice’s initiative, can contact her on 074 230 8487 or candicedorman31@gmail.com
