MUST READ: Learning English on the streets of Newcastle

From childhood, General Xama was made to feel he would never amount to much.

“I was never good at school, failing basically every grade. I eventually dropped out because I was led to believe that I was stupid by teachers and family,” he said.

Leaving school at the age of 13, General faced a bleak future, but refused to allow his circumstances to break him down.

“I left Durban and came to Newcastle, hoping to find some form of work. I found nothing. That was 17 years ago and I have been living on the streets ever since.”

Despite living on the streets, with no formal education and no place to live, General still refused to give up and let the odds defeat him.

“When I got to Newcastle, I did not speak a word of English. I didn’t even understand the simplest of words.”

Yet, General proved that with enough determination, anything was possible.

“I didn’t want to beg, but I had to eat, so I became a car guard and taught myself English. I might not understand everything, but I can talk to others now and can express myself,” he said.

Learning an entire language from scratch while living on the streets is something General prides himself on.

“Living on the streets is hard, criminals have stolen the money I worked for and even stolen the shoes off my feet, but I learned English.”

During his years on the street, General said English was not the only thing he learned.

“I have learned to look after myself, to survive no matter what. If I could tell anyone anything, it would be to look after yourself and never give up,” he concluded.