![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/112/2015/01/lebartie-matric-Medium.jpg)
Bernadine Lebartie, an 18-year-old mother fell pregnant while she was in her final year of school.
She managed to pass matric but says her pregnancy was nothing to be proud of.
“Being pregnant at such a young age was not something to boast about, I felt shameful,” Lebartie said.
She was close to giving birth but insisted on writing her June exams.
Her friend Linton Hamanburg who was also expecting a child from another girl supported her when she was feeling down because he knew what she was going through.
“Luckily we had each other to encourage,” Hamanburg said.
Both teenagers passed matric and say they are proud of themselves for their truimpth.
“I didn’t get much sleep because of the baby and studying but my mother helped me with my child when I had to study,” Lebartie said.
She encourages girls who may fall pregnant at school to write their exams and not give up on life.
“Go write your exams, don’t focus on what people say about you.
“I wrote my exams and passed, now I can build an empire for my child.” Lebartie said.
@MaxineBecket