Hi, my name is Waheedah, and I’m fundraising for my daughter Elihle and her dance team to represent their studio — and our small nation of Eswatini — at the Dance World Cup Finals 2026 in Dublin, Ireland!

On October 28th, 2025, Elihle competed at the Dance World Cup qualifiers in South Africa, her very first competition. From staying up past midnight for the first time to performing under bright stage lights, she loved every minute of it.

She didn’t place in the top rankings, but that didn’t matter to her — she was too busy cheering for her teammates’ victories and celebrating their hard work. Her joy, courage, and sportsmanship made me so proud as a mom.

Then came the surprise: we later found out that her solo actually scored above 70%, which means she officially qualified for the 2026 Dance World Cup Finals! The judges saw her potential — and now, with a lot more training and support, she has the chance to dance on an international stage alongside talented young dancers from around the world.

Coming from Eswatini, a developing country where ballet and other performing arts receive very little support or funding, this opportunity is nothing short of extraordinary. Access to quality training, resources, and international exposure is rare — and that’s what makes this so special. With your help, Elihle can represent not only her school, but also the incredible young talent emerging from our corner of the world.

We are so excited for what lies ahead, but we also face very real financial challenges. The costs of travel, accommodation, costumes, and training add up quickly — and we would be deeply grateful for any contribution to help make this dream possible.

If you’ve ever seen a child discover something they truly love, you’ll understand why this means so much. Every donation, big or small, helps us take one step closer to Dublin. ✨

Thank you for believing in Elihle’s dream — and for helping her dance her heart out on a world stage. Anything raised above our needs will go to her other teammates.

With love and gratitude,

Waheedah & Family