From a Local Classroom to the Global Stage
Riley, a Grade 8 learner and I-Innovate’s Youth Innovation Ambassador, has earned the opportunity to compete internationally through FIRST LEGO League. Now we are backing her, and her team, all the way.
Every Donation is Matched by I-Innovate.
Meet Riley
Riley is a Grade 8 learner with a natural curiosity for how things work and how problems can be solved in new ways. She enjoys building, experimenting and asking the kinds of questions that often lead to innovation.
That curiosity found a home in robotics through FIRST LEGO League. Together with her teammates, Riley spent months researching a real-world problem, contributing to the team’s innovation journey and helping shape a solution they could present with confidence and purpose.
Their work stood out at the national competition, earning them the opportunity to represent South Africa internationally in South Korea.
For Riley, this journey is about more than competing. It is about exploring ideas, pushing boundaries and discovering what is possible when curiosity is supported with opportunity.
Meet Riley
Riley is a Grade 8 learner with a natural curiosity for how things work and how problems can be solved in new ways. She enjoys building, experimenting and asking the kinds of questions that often lead to innovation.
That curiosity found a home in robotics through FIRST LEGO League. Together with her teammates, Riley spent months researching a real-world problem, contributing to the team’s innovation journey and helping shape a solution they could present with confidence and purpose.
Their work stood out at the national competition, earning them the opportunity to represent South Africa internationally in South Korea.
For Riley, this journey is about more than competing. It is about exploring ideas, pushing boundaries and discovering what is possible when curiosity is supported with opportunity.
What is
FIRST LEGO League is a global STEAM programme that challenges students to solve real-world problems through robotics, research and teamwork.
It combines engineering, science, technology and communication skills in a real-world learning environment.
FIRST LEGO League is not just about building robots. It is about building problem-solvers, innovators and future leaders.
- Research a real-world problem and develop an innovative solution.
- Design and program a functioning robot.
- Present their ideas to judges.
- Demonstrate teamwork, collaboration and creative thinking.
FIRST LEGO League is not just about building robots. It is about building problem-solvers, innovators and future leaders.
The Funding Goal
To support Riley and her parents in making this international competition possible, we are working toward a fundraising goal of R150,000 or $8830.
These funds will help cover the essential costs required for Riley to compete at the FIRST LEGO League international event in South Korea, including:
- Flights and travel
- Acommodation
- Competition Registration Fees
- Materials and preparation costs for the team’s project and presentation
But what makes this campaign unique is the way every contribution is amplified.
Every Donation Is Matched!
I-Innovate will match every donation made through this campaign.
This means every contribution immediately doubles in impact.
- A R500 becomes R1,000
- A R1,000 becomes R2,000
- A R5,000 becomes R10,000
By matching every contribution, I-Innovate is standing alongside the community to ensure that this opportunity becomes possible.
How to Support Riley and the Team
There are two ways to contribute to Riley and her team’s journey to the international FIRST LEGO League competition.
If you would like to support Riley and the team as an individual, you can make a secure donation through our campaign page on BackaBuddy.
Scan the QR code or click the Button below to go to the BackaBuddy Campaign.
Businesses and organisations that would like to support the campaign are welcome to make a corporate contribution.
As I-Innovate is a Section 18A certified organisation, qualifying donations may be eligible for a Section 18A tax certificate.
If your organisation would like to support Riley and the team, please contact us directly so we can assist with the donation process and provide the necessary documentation.
Corporate support plays an important role in helping young South African innovators access opportunities that can shape their future.
Supporting the Next Generation of Innovators
At I-Innovate, we believe innovation begins with curiosity, opportunity and access to the right environment to explore ideas.
Riley’s journey reflects exactly what we stand for: young learners who are willing to question, build, experiment and solve real-world problems through creativity and technology.
By supporting Riley and her team, we are not only helping them reach an international competition. We are helping highlight what becomes possible when young South Africans are given the tools, mentorship and encouragement to explore STEAM.
Through this journey, we also hope to:
- Inspire more learners to explore science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics
- Raise awareness of the opportunities offered through programmes like FIRST LEGO League
- Showcase the creativity, talent and potential of young South African innovators