“We are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other. If you are always there for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you.” – Jeff Warner
Being a student, especially a self-supporting one, can be daunting. Yes, determination, hard work, and perseverance play a very important part of one’s success, but the people who come alongside us during our journey can also make an enormous difference. Here’s one such story from one of our #Stayers.
“I remember sacrificing my full-time studies at a University of Technology to look for a piece job so that I could pay rent and buy groceries because I had a sister who was a student as well. Because of a lack of affordability from home, I went to a construction company in Johannesburg. The Manager told me he could not hire me. He wanted people with matric to do hard labour. By then I had obtained 2 diplomas and was then pursuing my degree. He agreed to take me after listening to my story.
One day I was busy working in my overalls at the building we were working on. It was around 4pm when these good-looking ladies came out dressed very formally, only for me to realize that they were my former classmates. They looked at me and they were like, ‘Isn’t this guy the one who used to be number one in class?’ Well, they laughed and left. Instead of being ashamed, I looked up and smiled and said ‘God, it’s only You who knows’. Then I continued with my work.
The Manager, by the name of Mr William, was crying tears when I graduated. We are still in contact. If it was not because of the chance he gave me to pay my rent and other expenses, I don’t know how I would have survived.
Hence #ImStaying. I’m willing to go all the way to talk to young people who are from a poor background like me. We must help each other out of poverty.
Edited By: Lindsay Gray
For more positive and uplifting stories visit us at #ImStaying
GOOD THOUGHTS • GOOD WORDS • GOOD DEEDS
