Teen mom Laai'qah's dream of education comes true
Good Morning Angels and Willard Batteries assisted teen mom Laai'qah to achieve her dreams of education, inspired by her baby son and parents.
"In 2022 November, when I was in Grade 11, I fell pregnant and I thought my life was going to end, I was so afraid about how my family was going to react and if I was going to make it - but I didn’t give up. I went to school throughout my pregnancy and I gave birth the day before the Matric Dance of my school! I wrote my Prelims with my baby and my finals as well. Along with the support of my family and everyone around me, I managed to complete Matric when I thought I couldn't do it."
This is Laai'qah Sheik from Rustenburg’s matric story - not what she planned or wanted - but her reality. With her parents’ support and love for her and her baby boy, she kept working with pride and achieved above-average matric results.
Laai'qah was accepted to study BA Psychology at the University of Pretoria - and that’s what she hopes to do - if she can secure the funding.
"Obtaining the bursary and excelling in my studies will aid in helping me make a better future for my son, which is the main reason of all my determination …. It will also allow me to get a well-paying job one day or even open up my own firm, where I will have enough money to take care and pay back my parents for all their help as well."
Watch here:
REQUEST FOR: Laai’qah Sheik
ANGEL 1: Dave Arnold representing Willard Batteries
SPONSORING: The Willard Batteries Bursary Fund will assist Laai'qah with R80,000 towards her 2024 BA Psychology studies at UP
ANGEL 2: The Good Morning Angels Fund
SPONSORING: The GMA fund will assist Laai'qah with another R25,000 towards her accommodation and study expenses this year at UP
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Good Morning Jacaranda.
I hope everyone is well, my name is Laai’qah Sheik and I live in Rustenburg, North West. I attended Fields College and recently completed my matric in 2023.
I achieved a Bachelor’s degree pass and missed my mathematical literacy distinction with 1% and my lowest mark was a 60% but I got accepted at University of Pretoria for a BA in Humanities where I will take up Psychology as my profession.
In 2022 November I fell pregnant and I thought my life was going to end, I was so afraid about how my family was going to react and if I was going to make it - but I didn’t give up. I went to school throughout my pregnancy and I gave birth the day before the Matric Dance of my school! I wrote my Prelims with my baby and my finals as well. Along with the support of my family and everyone around me, I managed to complete Matric when I thought I couldn’t do it.
My mom is currently financially responsible for my baby and I feel so bad putting her through even more financial strain with my studies. I applied for a bursary, but didn’t get considered, I applied for Nsfas and I am still waiting for approval but I have been waiting and it doesn’t seem like I will be hearing anything good after my wait and registration for the University has opened already. The financial assistance will lift any financial burden I have already put on them as they are looking after my son and other children.
I know having a baby in school is not the most ideal thing to do but God works in mysterious ways and the baby has changed my life in so many ways and made my family much happier! Please consider me for this bursary as it will assist me and my mom in so many ways and we will be grateful.
Obtaining the bursary and excelling in my studies will aid in helping me make a better future for my son which is the main reason of all my determination and dedication to finish school and tertiary studies. It will also allow me to get a well paying job one day or even open up my own firm where I will have enough money to take care and pay back my parents for all their help as well.
My biggest reason for studying Psychology is because mental health is a serious problem in the world and I have struggled with it as well, but there is light at the end of the road and it comes in different ways and after a long wait as well. Everyone deserves a chance to voice their feelings and opinions and me becoming an advocate for mental health one day can aid in less mental health related deaths and help people struggling to live a better and healthier life.
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