Tembisa mother helps high school children explore their futures

Tembisa children are receiving a daily dose of encouragement from a concerned parent in the community.

Lusanda Hoyi is the founder of Malustah High School to University Transition, an organisation that seeks to give high school children access to information about funding their tertiary studies.

Hoyi said the idea came about when her son could not further his studies after matric due to financial constraints.

“When my son finished Grade 12, I was still not working and he had to take a gap year.

“I decided to stand up and fight for him by finding funding, scholarships or bursary opportunities and getting him registered with an institution of higher learning,” said Hoyi.

She said fortunately she received funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and her son was admitted to Wits University.

However, she became worried about other children who might need such help.

“As parents we need to avoid the gap year our children take due to financial constraints.

“This is where we lose our children to nyaope, crime and other substance abuse.

“These children need to have full access to bursary or scholarship information,” said Hoyi.

She said her organisation aims to dig up information on available opportunities and make it readily available to all township children.

“We assist Grade 12 learners to apply for funding and enrol in the schools of their choice. Many children do not know how to research these opportunities. My role is to help them identify those opportunities, and I sleep better when I know I have shared the information on education funding and also boosted their self-esteem through motivational talks.

“Malustah High School to University Transition organisation also hosts weekly motivational talks with learners in various Tembisa schools,” Hoyi explained.

She said she receives a positive response from learners who participate in her talks, and they call her regularly for advice on their future careers.

In the talks, professionals are invited to come and share their knowledge of various industries, to help learners understand more about their chosen career paths.

Hoyi is very grateful to Tembisa West High School, which allows her to hold these talks on its premises to empower their learners.

She appealed to all businesses to inject funding into the project. Malustah High School to University Transition organisation is in dire need of unlimited internet access and computers to connect the children to the global world of information.

“My vision is to create functional youth centres on every township corner so that the information is accessible to every child,” said Hoyi.

Malustah High School to University Transition organisation can be contacted on 084 326 3169 or email them at lusandahoyi@gmail.com