A promising youngster could find herself between a rock and a hard place if she does not get assistance urgently to further her studies.

Pfunzo Thidziambi (20) of Mannini, near Thohoyandou, passed Grade 12 in 2004, but could not get the money for further studies due to her poor financial background. With an aggregate symbol C, Pfunzo obtained an A-symbol in Economics, a B in Physical Science, and five C’s in Mathematics, Geography, Tshivenda, English and Biology. She did all her subjects on higher grade.

What is more frustrating to her is that she has made applications for financial assistance to more than 20 bursaries, but none of them ever gave her any positive response. She came to our offices in tears and requested Mirror to do anything that can help her to realize her dream of becoming a medical doctor.

“My mother, Lucy, is unemployed and cannot raise the money to finance my education. I was always a top leaner from my primary schooling and I will never allow poverty to stop me from acquiring an education. We only acquire wisdom through education and I believe I still have a lot to offer to my community. I appeal to any Good Samaritan who can help achieve my dreams to come forward, because this thing is almost killing me.”

Pfunzo said she completed her Grade 12 at Azwifarwi High School in 2004. “It is now two years since I passed Grade 12 and I am just lingering in the streets. I urgently need assistance because I don’t want to end up doing nothing in the streets while some of my peers less intelligent than I am are becoming more educated and preparing themselves for a bright future. I am prepared to sacrifice anything, because I believe I am entitled to be educated, although I come from an indigent family.”

She says she wants to become a medical doctor or a mining engineer. “My first career choice is to become a doctor. I always dream of furthering my studies at the University of Limpopo Medical School. I also have a second idea of doing Mining Engineering at the University of Johannesburg. I can no longer afford to roam around in the streets during the next academic year,” she said, while holding back tears.

People who want to assist Pfunzo can call her at 083 241 2811 or call Mirror’s Thohoyandou Office at 015 962 1008.