My name is Gomolemo Molala, a Junior Facilitator for the Work Readiness programme in the Alexandra centre. This is my story.
I am a descendent of three generations of domestic workers, however, the lioness in me just refused to continue this trend into my generation. After my matric, I registered with a college under the Pearson Institute for higher learning in Menlyn where I was to study for a degree in Psychology.
At the beginning of the second semester, I had to drop out with my good results because my study had not been approved and my mother who is a single parent could not afford the tuition. For a good year, I stayed at home with nothing to do, no education nor luck for employment.
In June 2016 I registered for a higher certificate in Adult Basic Education and Training and completed it in October 2017. Consequent to that I registered for a BA (Health and Social Services), majoring in community and health psychology. It felt like a dream come true, being the first person ever in my family’s history to further their studies beyond matric.
It gave me so much pride and motivation that I even made a promise to myself that I would finish on record time and never repeat a module. My mom took out loans to fund my certificate and my entire first year.
I started applying for bursaries and fortunately, I was funded by my church and NSFAS the following year. Today I stand proud to be a BA graduate despite all the difficulties that came with it.
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it– Paulo Coehlo”
