Youth with a mission

■ For Women’s Day of Prayer, the girls of Parel Vallei High School lifted the host country, Suriname, in prayer – and stood together for all women in the world, each facing their own unique challenges. The Republic of Suriname lies in the north-eastern part of South America. It has a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, and is the smallest independent country on the South American continent. Nicole Bartels, an old Parel Valleier, delivered an inspirational message on hope, saying one must never settle in life; but look to the future and expect great things to come. Nicole matriculated from Parel Vallei in 2004, and did mission training in Argentina where she lived for 10 years, while working as a full-time missionary with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). She moved back to South Africa in 2015 with her husband. She was motivated by a deep desire to build into the community, and started working with a local NGO called STOP Trafficking of People. The main aim of this NGO is to fight modern-day slavery. Nicole is proud to be the national operations manager for this organisation. Pictured, from left, are Jessica George, Christine Beadsworth, Nicole de Lorme, Jenelle Cookson, Nicole Bartels and Charlize Janse van Rensburg.