Boost for desperate student needed
JOBURG – A devastated Asiphe Cokile, who can't afford her education fees and is racing against the clock as outstanding fees could prevent her from writing her third-year final examinations for the second time in a row, received some hope after one good Samaritan injected some cash towards her fees.
The Zimbabwean citizen, who wanted to remain anonymous, has donated R1 000 towards Cokile’s outstanding fees and challenged locals and foreign nationals to also come on board and help the young woman to achieve her goals. The man said, “If I could I would have done more, but that was what I could do. I challenge my sisters and brothers from South Africa and anywhere else – let’s help other people to be better in life.”
Next month is exam time for students, and the persistent Cokile, who is studying towards a National Diploma in journalism and media studies at Damelin College in Braamfontein, has no money to pay off her outstanding fees of R36 000.
The 22-year-old student was born in the township of Walmer in Port Elizabeth. At home she has three siblings, a brother and two sisters. Her father, who works as a driver for the Nelson Mandela Municipality, is the only breadwinner and her unemployed mother suffers from arthritis and has been looking for specialists to help her with her condition.
Last year, Cokile was in distress as she watched her classmates graduating while she was unable to write her final paper as her father could not afford to pay her fees. She had to drop out on the eve of her examinations. “It was weird, painful. It was very frustrating and it made me realise that life is not easy. When I saw my classmates graduating, I was so miserable, I was sad, I had to fight to get back into my studies,” Cokile said.
Without good Samaritans, the same situation is again facing the young woman who is determined to finish her studies so she can change the situation at home as her struggling father still has to pay for the education of her siblings, as well as take care of his sickly wife, put food on the table and take care of many household responsibilities.
The donor said he was touched by Cokile’s situation when he read an article in this paper about her ordeal and said, “Let’s think about the people in need and come up with something, whether it’s small or big, even if it’s not money.”
Accepting the donation, an emotional Cokile said, “I am happy, this is giving me hope that there are people who are willing to help others.”
Details: If you would like to donate, contact aphiweb@caxton.co.za; 011 889 0773.
