Hard work and determination pay off for Jessica

My name is Jessica and I am a 25 year old student. I am currently on my second level and working towards my BA in Criminology.

Where to begin . . .  I’m not going to tell you the story of my entire life suffice to say it’s one of those sad stories you always read about in books. After living with an alcoholic mother, moving around so much that I had to attend 13 different primary schools and witnessing many things a child shouldn’t witness,  I was placed into foster care with my grandparents. They were the best thing that ever happened to me. They loved me dearly and moulded me into the person that I am today.

With a childhood like mine,  I was able to learn to adapt and catch up in any new school I found myself in. I therefore ended up achieving good marks academically. With such a dysfunctional life, it’s always nice to lose yourself in books and the idea of a fantasy life. The damage however was done and I rebelled as a teenager and ended up pregnant at age 15. I dropped out of school in grade 9 , become a mother at age 16 and become a wife at age 17. Nobody believed that my husband, who is a year older than me, and I would be able to raise a child or make a marriage work at that age, except for my grandparents. Regardless, we had to take responsibility for our actions.

In my close family, no one  has ever graduated high school, so me having dropped out was not uncommon. Adjusting to my life as a mother and wife, we were struggling but kept our heads above water thanks to the help of my grandparents. As a child I dreamt of going to university but having dropped out of school and become pregnant at such a young age, I realised that dream was dead. My grandfather was adamant that I should graduate high school, however, by doing this from home I was not able to choose subjects that would secure me a university exemption.

I worked very hard to study for the matric exams and, to my surprise, went on to pass when I was 18. I started work immediately after. My grandparents were extremely proud of me as I was the first one in the family to achieve this and in addition, to achieve it while raising a baby. I wanted to go as far as I could in life and not let circumstances stand in my way. I wanted to give my son more and be a role model that he could look up to.

At age 20 I lost my grandmother and struggled to get through this trying time. I had another son shortly afterwards and at age 22 I lost my grandfather as well. I had no one left except for my husband and sons. Just after my grandfather passed, I was told I might inherit some money and the first thing I did was research tertiary education options. I was stunned when I read that it was possible for me to apply for a matric exemption as I was 23 at the time. I took a chance and applied.

I will never forget the day I received the letter confirming that my application was granted. I have never felt more alive. To this day the estate has not been sorted and no money has been received but my angels provided and I have been able to pay for every single semester and every single book so far. I have achieved six distinctions out of the 13 subjects I did complete so far and have not failed one subject. It’s not easy but Unisa makes it a possibility where none existed. They provide an affordable, comfortable, do-able solution to the education shortage that we see every day in South Africa.

I think without Unisa a lot of people would not even have the possibility of being able to work for their dreams and show what they are able to accomplish if given a chance.

Thanks Unisa.

Written by Jessica Botha

*Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the contributor of this story and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the University of South Africa.