Local graduate is grateful to Rays of Hope for its support

Local graduate Terrence Liswoga has shown gratitude to the Rays of Hope Ignition programme for its commitment to seeing him succeed.

The Ignition programme selects matriculants from Alexandra schools and provides support which enables each one to study at a tertiary level or complete technical training, o find sustainable employment.

He writes:

In 2014, my siblings and I lost both our parents in the same year, which led me, like so many other children in Alexandra, to take on the responsibility of caring and providing for my family.

We lived in a one-bedroom flat in Marlboro with no electricity or flushing toilets and survived on school food parcels and a R300 monthly stipend from the church – all while I did my best to pass my subjects at school.

The hard work thankfully paid off, earning me a spot at Northwest University where I studied a Bachelor of Commerce in financial accounting. I had no bursary or funding in my first year and no idea how I was going to make it.

I slept at the petrol station for two nights while waiting for registration. I was at my lowest, but I am so grateful to Rays of Hope and the Ignition programme for showing up for me and offering support for tuition, books and living allowances, along with my brother who worked as a security guard and helped me with the registration fees.

Thanks to them and the kindness of so many others, I not only made it to university but thrived there. I got involved in student life activities and served under the leadership structure of Northwest University from my first year until I graduated.

Apart from this, I excelled academically and became a Golden Key member, being in the top 15% of the EMS faculty. I graduated in record time and, a few months later, landed a job at Standard Bank.

My advice to anyone reading this, both young and old, is ‘In everything you do, put God first’. I would not have achieved what I did without holding on to faith and hope, and I am a strong believer in pushing through and making the best possible use of the opportunities you are provided with to make something of your life.

Yes, I had my share of failure and loss, but I learned and grew through it all, and I believe anyone can follow in those footsteps. I am here to tell the youth that no matter where you’re from and the hurdles you face – it is possible.”

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