Life is a journey filled with impressions left upon one; some from sights, some from words. It is these impressions that create the person we are. Some impress so deeply they become the foundation we build our morals and ethical standards on.

As a young woman I grew up having dreams that one day I would be in a school that would give me a better education. In 2008 I arrived at LEAP school. I felt like God now was on my side and He had opened the first gate for me. I felt my heart dancing because I was so overwhelmed that I was chosen to be part of LEAP. I loved the welcome that I was given by the school. I had a feeling inside that this would be my second family.

In life there are people who are wet blankets and people who support you. I had a problem with my community. The people would say to me, “It’s useless to go to school in the morning and come back at night, without any good results.” I felt like my heart was sinking into the deepest ocean because I did not understand why these people couldn’t  be happy for me because I was still at school. I was not like the other township girls who drank and used drugs.

I had a talk with my mother about the problem. She advised me and said, “In life people always have something to say, so just ignore what they say and take that as an encouragement.” Ever since then I took that quote as a principle or value to live by.

The teenage stage of life is a big stage. As teenagers, we are old enough to make our own decisions. Teenage years are filled with challenges and consequences. I fell pregnant in 2010. I felt embarrassed and shy because it felt like I had disrespected my family and my school. I felt like giving up on everything, and that it was the end of my life.  My family and the school gave me support and they did not judge me for what had happened. I asked myself, ‘Why should I give up? I am not the first and last teenage mother. ‘

I have a quote that says, ‘If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always gotten.’ This quote has become a sort of credo that I recently decided to live by. It has motivated me to take the next step to pursue my dreams.

I went back to school after the birth of my child and now I am doing Matric. I have long had expectations of myself. Through integrity, perseverance and hard work  I will reach my goal of becoming a Financial Advisor.