Poverty cycle broken, says emotional father
A father visited our offices recently to thank Ubuntu for affording his daughter Sinoxolo the chance to go to university. He had tears in his eyes as he expressed his excitement and gratitude that through Ubuntu, she will study this year at Rhodes University—one of the top institutions in South Africa.
The father had been concerned that he would not afford to send Sinoxolo to university with his small income as a waiter. To him this meant his offspring would remain poor for generations to come.
I am proud and happy that Sinoxolo is going to get the quality education that I couldn’t get because I left school in standard five to work and support my big family. I am certain now that inzala yam (my offspring) will be freed from the scourge of poverty.”
This family's experience is a prime example of how Ubuntu’s comprehensive programs work to end the inter-generational effects of poverty. The first in her family to attend university, Sinoxolo will have job opportunities not afforded to her father. This is the first step in breaking the cycle of poverty because the daughter’s potential income could help lift her family out of deprivation.
Ubuntu molds its students to
become productive members of society who contribute to improving both their
families and communities.
The father’s visit inspired me and certainly the Ubuntu staff as we saw firsthand once again how the organisation is making a difference in the lives of Port Elizabeth families. Indeed, the strongest weapon in fighting poverty is education.
Sinethemba Soldati is a marketing intern at Ubuntu. You can read more about him at The many hats of Sinethemba.
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