Megan Coleman: A breath of Fresh Air

In the judgmental and superficial world of beauty pageants, it is deliciously refreshing to chat to Miss SA 2007, Megan Coleman - an extraordinary woman who has reached the pinnacle of her industry but has kept her head firmly on her shoulders and speaks with honesty and humility about her astonishing experience of wearing the Miss SA crown for a year.Coleman is brand ambassador for International Bank Vaults and has embraced her first major project for the company – rallying support around their annual Children’s VIP Day.

“I love the concept of celebrities becoming the helpers for the day, and the kids being the VIPs – the inversion of roles is a wonderful concept,” she enthuses.

2000 less privileged children from in and around Durban will be treated to an interactive day of fun, treats, games and pampering in the company of sports stars and entertainment celebrities as part of International Bank Vaults social responsibility programme – Children’s VIP Day - at the Durban Exhibition Centre on 19 April.Coleman is appealing to corporate, civic organisations, service providers, small businesses and individuals to come on board and lend their weight to this innovative event to add value to the Children’s VIP Day, but to also look at forming lasting partnerships with children’s organisations and homes.Coleman fully understands the need for South Africans (especially those with resources) to get meaningfully involved in social responsibility projects. One of the things which drew her to become involved in IBV is their focus on children – a passion which she shares. Over and above the charitable work she did as part of her Miss SA portfolio, she elected to become involved with Helpnet – a network of safe houses for children around the country. Coleman has developed an affinity with their home in Margate. She speaks highly of the work they do with abandoned and abused children and is delighted that Milady’s have chosen to partner them. She intends for her involvement with the project to be long-term: “It is a life long dedication. Definitely,” she says.

More recently, she has joined forces with fellow Hillcrest woman – 21 year old Jessica Foord - whose horrific gang rape and subsequent bad experience at the hands of the authorities has made front page news. Foord has started a Highway-based awareness-creating support network for rape survivors – POWAR (Protect our Women Against Rape) in the Hillcrest / Kloof area – an ambitious project to which Coleman is committed to assist.

Coleman is thrilled to be backing the quiet of her family home and is recovering from the pace of her whirlwind year: “I lived 25 years in one year,” she says of her reign. “The things you see and experience are amazing and challenging but also quite daunting for a 21 year old to deal with. I believe I did as best as I could at the time, I learned from my mistakes and grew from my experience. I met phenomenal people and made great contacts. Really what I learned in that one year has set me up for life,”

Coleman is distinctly un-starry eyed. After a full year in Johannesburg, she couldn’t wait to get back home and was certainly not lured by the bright lights and celebrity status. “It is difficult to live in the lime-light,” she concurs and prefers the pace of village living in Hillcrest to the flurry Johannesburg.

Coleman is proudly KZN – born in Hillcrest, she attended Hillcrest High. Her post-matric gap year was spent in Canada with family and friends. She returned to read a media, communications and marketing degree at UKZN after which she eagerly applied to do post-grad media studies in Cape Town at the School of Red and Yellow. “I really thought that was where I was going. I took the phone call telling me I had been accepted into the post-grad course literally two days before I won Miss SA!”

Of course entering – and winning Miss SA – turned her life around in ways she never expected. “I didn’t realise the human body had the capacity to exist on such little sleep!” she laughs.

Much as she evidently loves her post-reign freedom, she does admit that having her life planned for her is a lot simpler than having to do it herself. She also clearly doesn’t miss people demanding her attention and she is enjoying choosing not always to be “on duty”.

“I am back with my folks, back in my old room again – it is time to relax and get my life back on track,”

For now she is loving running her own life and making big plans for the future. She is busy with MC work, a corporate make-over business she runs with her mother, and working on social development projects such as the Children’s VIP Day with IBV.

And if she had a daughter, would she encourage her to take to the ramp? “It is certainly not for everyone. Only if she has her head on her shoulders otherwise it takes its toll on you. It is a fickly industry and I certainly wouldn’t recommend it to everybody!”

What is the IBV Children’s VIP Day?

Below Is A List Of The 32 Children’s Homes From Greater Kzn With Whom We Have A Special Relationship And Who Send Their Children To The Annual Vip Day.

We Warmly Invite You To Respond To Their Particular Needs – Either For The Home Itself Or For The Residents Of The Homes.

We Have Listed The Homes (In Alphabetical Order) With Their Contact Details And Their List Of Needs. The Most Direct Way For You To Get Involved Is To Liaise With The Principal Of The Home Directly.

Name Of Home	:	Abalindi Children's Home
Address Of Home	:	Amatikwe Main Bus Road, Inanda
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Zherekhai Bere
Contact Number	:	(031) 510 1544
Mobile Number	:	(078) 518 9902
Special Needs Of Home	:	Extra School Material, Maths Sets, Calculators And General Clothing
Special Needs Of Children	:	Need Paintings, Warm Beddings And New Blankets, Swing Sets, Sports Equipment, Soccer Balls
Name Of Home	:	Aryan Benevolent Home
Address Of Home	:	80 Arena Park Drive, Chatsworth
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Tilly Naidoo
Contact Number	:	(031) 404 9523
Mobile Number	:	(083) 777 9522
Special Needs Of Home	:	Tv Stand X 7, P.A System, Centre Piece Rugs, Linen Individualised With Set Themes & Matching Curtains, Stimulation Games / Toys, Upgrading Of Cottage; Environment & Aesthetics, Awnings At Recreation Areas, Towel, Electri Kettles, Baby Prams, Irons, Table Clothes, Gas Cookers, Upgrading Of Office; Blinds, Environment, Aesthetics. Office Furniture, Stand For Photocopier
Special Needs Of Children	:	School Bags, Shoes, Winter Pyjamas, Winter Gowns, Winter Slippers, Tracksuits, Blue School Jerseys, Girls  & Boys Toiletries, Hair Clippers X 3
Name Of Home	:	Child And Welfare Society, Verulam
Address Of Home	:	5 / 7 Church Street, Verulam, 4343
Postal Address	:	P.O  Box 132, Verulam, 4343
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Mrs Saras Moonsamy
Contact Number	:	(032) 533 1046/7
Mobile Number	:	(083) 543 4284
Special Needs Of Home	:	Computer, Replacement Of Vehicle
Name Of Home	:	District 49 Children's Place Of Safety
Address Of Home	:	1 St Joseph Street, Umkomaas
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Adriaan And Renschia Meyer
Contact Number	:	(039) 973 1171
Mobile Number	:	(076) 505 8448
Special Needs Of Home	:	Home Gym, Table Tennis, Pool Table, Bicycles + Protective Gear
Special Needs Of Children	:	Shoes, School Shoes, School Bags, Toilet Soap, Shampoo, Hand Gear
Name Of Home	:	Durban Children's Home
Address Of Home	:	222 Manning Road, Glenwood
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Mrs Amanda Goble
Contact Number	:	(031) 201 1301
Mobile Number	:	(083) 549 3721
Special Needs Of Home	:	Umbrellas, Dvd Players, Sporting Equipment, Picnic Baskets, Pool Maintenance
Special Needs Of Children	:	Raincoats, School Bags, Raincoats, School Bags, Swimming Costumes, Beach Towels
Name Of Home	:	Durban Children's Home, Lakehaven
Address Of Home	:	9 Centre Road  Sea Cow Lake
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Mrs Makan
Contact Number	:	(031) 577 8919
Special Needs Of Home	:	Curtains, Tennis Court Bad Condition, Showers To Be Installed, Gardening Equipment - Skill  Development
Special Needs Of Children	:	Bath Towels
Name Of Home	:	Emseni
Address Of Home	:	19 Nightingale Road, Alberville, Port Shepstone, 4240
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Lin
Contact Number	:	(039) 682 4146
Special Needs Of Home	:	T.V, Duvets, Cutlery, Waterproofing
Special Needs Of Children	:	T.V Games, Soccer Balls, Net Ball, Net Ball And Soccer Uniform
Name Of Home	:	Ethelbert Children's Home
Address Of Home	:	93 Ethelbert Road, Malvern, 4094
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Sean Ingram
Contact Number	:	(031) 464 6555
Mobile Number	:	(082) 935 6994
Special Needs Of Home	:	Boys, Girls, Toddlers, Bed Linen, Pillows, Duvets.Curtains (For Cottages), Net Curtains (Toddler Unit), Carpet For Cottage Lounges, Ceiling Fans X 6, Lounge Suites With Wooden Frames, Tv/Video All In One, Electric Beater, Cutlery, Radio With Tape Deck/Cd, Lawnmowers And Weed-Eaters, Mops And Brooms, School Satchels, School Stationary, Re-Tiling Silverton Lounge, Hose X 5 For Each House + Tap Fittings, Tiling Trenow Lounge And Passage, Shade Cloth (Sandpit – Queenswood), Roof Maintenance, Extending Of Brick Wall In Front Of Property. Curtains For Cottages & Offices.
Special Needs Of Children	:	Clothes Horses X 6, Bathing Towels, White & Grey School Socks, Rain Coats, 1 New Set Of Clothes Per Child, Any Non Perishable Foods: Tins, Cereals, Sugar Etc., Milk, Any Frozen Foods, Including Fish, Vegetables And Meat, Any Food That Is In A Good Condition.
Name Of Home	:	Girls And Boys Town, Genezzano (Tongaat)
Address Of Home	:	25 Tunny Avenue, Seatides
Postal Address	:	P.O Box 67,Tongaat,4400
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Mr James Raman
Contact Number	:	(032) 943 3055/6/7
Special Needs Of Home	:	Office Equipment, Fans, Heaters, Desks, Chairs, Carpets For Offices
Special Needs Of Children	:	Clothes, Curtaining For Boys, Equipment And Stationery
Name Of Home	:	Girls & Boys Town, Glenwood
Address Of Home	:	187 Clark Road, Glenwood, Durban
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Mr Trevor White
Contact Number	:	(031) 201 6161
Mobile Number	:	(084) 526 0207
Special Needs Of Home	:	None
Special Needs Of Children	:	None
Name Of Home	:	Girls And Boys Town, Verulam
Address Of Home	:	39 Larxspur Road - Brindhaven Verulam
Contact Name (Principal	:	Trevor White
Contact Number	:	(032) 533 4355
Mobile Number	:	(082) 789 1778
		(083) 582 9120
Special Needs Of Home	:	7 X Aircons
Special Needs Of Children	:	Bicycle ,Cellphones, Basket Ball Poles, Books And Games
Name Of Home	:	Ikhayalethu Children's Home
Address Of Home	:	6 Gibbum Grove, Brackenham
Postal Address	:	P.O Box 362, Richards Bay 3900
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Saras Govender
Contact Number	:	(035) 798 2193
Mobile Number	:	(083) 760 7582
Special Needs Of Home	:	Food, Clothing, Transport
Special Needs Of Children	:	Counselling And Medical Care
Name Of Home	:	Khayalethu Shelter
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Siza
Special Needs Of Home	:	Computer
Special Needs Of Children	:	Soccer Ball
Name Of Home	:	Malvern's Children's Home
Address Of Home	:	11 Conistone Avenue, Malvern, 4093
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Mr Pierre Marais
Contact Number	:	(031) 464 0104
		(031) 464 0236
Mobile Number:	:	(072) 015 7202
Special Needs Of Home	:	Fans Required For All Cottages, Microwave, Toaster
Name Of Home	:	Makaphutu Children's Home Village
Postal Address	:	P.O Box 689 Botha's Hill, 3660
Contact Number	:	(031) 777 1239
Mobile Number	:	(082) 889 5416
Special Needs Of Home	:	Roof Repairs, Kitchen Equipment, Wardrobes
Special Needs Of Children	:	Clothing, Shoes, Maths Sets, Watches, Radios
Name Of Home	:	Noah (Umthombo Kanoah)
Address Of Home	:	Illovo Primary School, Illovo
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Joslyn Walker
Contact Number	:	(031) 566 5395
Special Needs Of Home	:	Books, Toys, Art Materials, Craft Materials, Sports Equipment, Gardening Equipment (Spades, Hoses, Forks, Buckets, Vegetable Seeds, Fertilizer), Water Tank
Special Needs Of Children	:	School Uniforms, School Shoes, Sport Shoes, Toiletries, Underwear, Jerseys, Clothes
Name Of Home	:	Othandweni Children's Home
Address Of Home	:	5 Fynn Road, Townview, Stanger
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Mpume
Mobile Number	:	(083) 697 1757
		(083) 524 4285
Special Needs Of Home	:	Washing Machine, Drying Machine, Home Theatre, Camera, Freezer, Dinning Table & Chairs (Plastic), Computer, Library Furniture, Microwave, Single Bed Linen, Ceiling Fan, Couches, Curtains, Pillows, Library Books, Vegetable, 3 Big Pots.
Name Of Home	:	Phoenix Child And Family Welfare Society
Address Of Home	:	10 Featherstone Place, Whetstone, Phoenix
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Mrs Aroona Chetty
Contact Number	:	(031) 500 3671
Mobile Number	:	(O84) 563 9884
Special Needs Of Home	:	Food Hampers, Mini Bus Or Van To Transport Children, Funds For Building Of Our Third Phase – Which Is A Children’s Home, Building Material – Bricks, Cement, Paint, Window, Doors, Handles, Floor Tiles, Roof Tiles, Bricklayers, Plumbers, Electricians, Tillers, Taps, Shower Cubicles And Fittings, Geysers Etc, Electrical Material, Such As Bulbs, Wiring, Switches Etc. Landscaping: Plants, Trees, Furniture: Beds, Cupboards, Desks, Chairs, Lounge Suites, Dining Room Set, Fridges, Stoves, Freezers, Washing Machine/Tumble Dryer, Electrical Appliances For The Kitchen, Kitchen Utensils, Pots Pans, Dishes, Cutlery, Curtains/Blinds, Linen, Beddings, Television, Radio, Dvd, Library – Computer With Modem/Laptop, Fax Machine/Photocopier, Smart Board, Projector, Table Tennis, Pool Table, Table Hockey, Table Soccer, Playstation, Nintendo, Paintings, Maintenance Of Office Equipment Such As Air-Conditioners Etc, Motor Vehicles (Service), Sports Equipment/Gym Equipment, Sewing Machines, Fabric, Sewing Accessories, Beads And Accessories. Baking Ingredients, Cooking Ingredients, Bake Ware , Office Furniture, Display Boards. Voluntary Services: Doctors, Pharmacists, Psychologists, Nurses, Teachers, Dieticians, Health Workers, Occupational Therapists, Remedial Teachers/Educational Assistants, Day-Mothers, Care-Givers, Tutors, Printers
Special Needs Of Children	:	Toys: Soft Toys And Educational Toys For Younger Children, Diapers, Baby Towels, Feeding Bottles Children’s Clothes And Underwear, Pacifiers, Cupboards, Baby Linen And Beddings, Toiletries, Lotion, Soaps, Kitchen Cupboards, Stationery Packs, School Uniform, School Jerseys, School Shoes, Blankets, Furniture, Books For Children.
Name Of Home	:	The Place Of Restoration
Address Of Home	:	32 Alexander Road, Margate, 4275
Postal Address	:	P O Box 22910, Margate, 4275
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Elize Coetzee
Contact Number	:	(039) 317 2761
Mobile Number	:	(073) 185 7419
Special Needs Of Home	:	Educational Equipment – Especially For School Readiness For The Grade 0. Playground Equipment – We Provide Education To The Children In The Shelter And Our School Is Called Happy Hands. They Have 2 Class Rooms But At Break Time There Is Nothing Outside. Paint – The Girl’s Dormitory And Bathrooms Is In Desperate Need Of A Re-Paint. Urn – The Nursery Where The Babies Are Looked After Have An Urn, But It Is On Its Last Legs. A 8-10 Litre Urn Is Perfect. It Is Use Full To Have Boiled Water Available For All The Bottles. Wall Unit – The Children’s Lounge Has A Worn And Broken Wall Unit.
Name Of Home	:	Pietermarizburg Children's Home
Address Of Home	:	44 Teak Road, Woodlands, Pmb
Contact Name (Principal)	:	John Howard
Contact Number	:	(033) 387 4004
Mobile Number	:	(073) 148 06549
Special Needs Of Home	:	Food
Special Needs Of Children	:	Clothing
Name Of Home	:	Rainbow Kids
Address Of Home	:	3 Spoorlyn Road (321), Westcliffe, Chatsworth
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Valencia Subramoney
Contact Number	:	(031) 401 8619
Mobile Number	:	(073) 702 4525
Special Needs Of Home	:	Television, Dvd Player, Shelves For Books
Special Needs Of Children	:	Statonery And Clothing
Name Of Home	:	Save The Children Kzn
Web Address	:	www.savethechildrenkzn.co.za
Address Of Home	:	19 Hopson Avenue, Glenwood, 4001
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Mari Van Der Merwe
Contact Number	:	(031) 202 9231
Mobile Number	:	(082) 555 5681
Special Needs Of Home	:	Household Goods, Kitchen Utensils – Pots, Baby Food And Non Perishable Food, Office Furniture – Crèches, Electric Appliances – Stoves, Fridges – For Non Registered Crèches, Children’s Furniture – Small Tables And Chairs, New Urn Or Bigger Kettle For Training Centre, Drinking Glasses
Special Needs Of Children	:	Nappies, Clothing, Stationery, Toys, Paper
Name Of Home	:	Sinethemba Children's Home
Address Of Home	:	88 St Georges Street, Durban
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Mulhe Ngcobo
Contact Number	:	(031) 304 9511
		(031) 301 0346
Mobile Number	:	(083) 225 0893
Special Needs Of Home	:	Kitchen Files, Books For Library - 8 - 18yrs
Special Needs Of Children	:	Tracksuits, Pool Table, Volunteers To Help Children With English, Maths, Physical Science
Name Of Home	:	St Martins
Address Of Home	:	239 Clark Road, Morningside
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Mr Vincent Diepenaar
Contact Number	:	(031) 201 1261
Mobile Number	:	(072) 402 9549
Special Needs Of Home	:	Groceries, Food, Boys Toilet And Shower, Stationery
Name Of Home	:	St Monica's Children Home
Address Of Home	:	855 Marine Drive, Bluff,4052
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Claudette
Contact Number	:	(031) 468 8656
Mobile Numbers	:	(072) 365 3759
		(082) 662 6651
Special Needs Of Home	:	Lounge Suite For 6 Cottages, Walk Ways, Table Cloths And Cutlery
Special Needs Of Children	:	Outing, Clothing And Underwear, Bathing Costumes And Swimmng Caps.
Name Of Home	:	St Theresa's
Address Of Home	:	7 St Theresa's Road, Mayville
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Marie Therese Naidoo
Contact Number	:	(031) 209 2166
Special Needs Of Home	:	Swimming Pool-Repairs And Maintenance Year Contract. Employ A Maintenance Worker - 3 Days A Week +/- R3500 Excl Materials. Tin Food Donations, Toilet Paper, Toiletries, Cleaning Products, Tracksuits, Study Guides, Text Books Improve Social Skills For Boys
Special Needs Of Children	:	R3000.00 Per Cottage Wilderness Programme, Gym.
Name Of Home	:	St Thomas Home For Children.
Address Of Home	:	5 Williamson Place, Sparks Estate, Sydenham
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Barbara
Contact Number	:	(031) 209 8871
Mobile Number	:	(082) 662 6645
Special Needs Of Home	:	Electric Can Opener, Laundry Baskets, Large Buckets For Bathing, Toaster, Small/Long Table For Dining. Bins For Dormitories. Electric Frying Pan. Baking Equipment. Teaspoons, Tablespoons. Crockery. Cutlery. Plastic Jugs. Refuse Bags. Hair Clippers. Stationery, Canned Products, Milk
Special Needs Of Children	:	Night  Slippers, Gown's, Ps, Toiletries, Food, School Bags.
Name Of Home	:	St Vincent's Home For Children
Address Of Home	:	10 St Vincent's Drive, Marianhill.
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Ndlovu
Contact Number	:	(031) 700 2054
Special Needs Of Home	:	Tooth Paste, Tooth Brushes, Soap Powder (Omo, Surf, Sunlight Etc.), Bath Soap, Laundry Plastic Pegs, Jik, Surgical Latex Gloves, Wooden (Strong) Plastic Coat Hangers X 300.
Special Needs Of Children	:	Girl's Pants, Boy's Trousers, T-Shirts.
Name Of Home	:	Sunlit Gardens
Address Of Home	:	25 Barnabass Road, Northdale, Pmb, 3201
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Carthy
Contact Number	:	(033) 387 1162
Mobile Number	:	(083) 656 3590
Special Needs Of Home	:	Lockers
Special Needs Of Children	:	None
Name Of Home	:	Thokomala Orphan Care
Address Of Home	:	Unilever Sa Head Office, 15 Nollsworth Cresent Off Armstrong Avenue, La Lucia Ridge
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Antje Hockly
Contact Number	:	(031) 570 2013
Mobile Number	:	(082) 499 8642
Special Needs Of Home	:	Pictures For The Walls
Special Needs Of Children	:	Books,  Sports Kit (Balls, Soccer Boots, Bicycles, Takkies), School Bags, Stationary
Name Of Home	:	Umbhayi Sai School
Name Of Home	:	Zamini Children's Home
Address Of Home	:	9 Centre Road, Sea Cow Lake
Contact Name (Principal)	:	Mrs Makan
Contact Number	:	(031) 577 8919
Special Needs Of Home	:	Curtains, Tiling, Lighting,  Toilet And Bathrooms In Bad Condition, Lawnmower
Special Needs Of Children	:	Bath Towels, Winter Clothes, School Jerseys, 6 X Scientific Calculators, Pj's , Car Wash As Skills Development - Need Vacuum And Compressor.