10/26/2020
This past week I have raised my voice and put an action into advocating for a better future for our youth.
I feel the pain of the youths from disadvantaged backgrounds, much
more from talented individuals that have no opportunity to attain to excellence due to lack of opportunities.
Let me share my story!
I had previously wanted to travel to the UK as a postgraduate student. This was the easiest way to get into UK at the time. I was denied visa twice. So I chilled!
Then an opportunity opened up to study for a PhD in South Africa, in fact, they were looking for a young black female to embark on a bioenergy research that was funded by industry as well as the NRF.
The research had already been outlined all they needed was someone who could fit. When I initially heard of the offer, I declined, I didn’t want to study in SA because I had heard gory stories about SA and had watched the movie “Sarafina”. Talk about the danger of a single story!
Anyways, after a while I was convinced to give it a try. I applied and got the admission. It came with perks.. I would be given a top scholarship and a bursary... meaning after university and residence fees had been paid... I would still receive a take home allowance for my upkeep. was strange to me at the time, especially where I was coming from. We had no such opportunities. At least that I know of.
So I gladly took the chance and made maximum use of the .
I believe so many other people had better skills/talent and brilliance than I had,
I believe I wasn’t an exceptional student, I was just barely above average. BUT I was given the opportunity, the chance to become more, to contribute to science 🧪 and I am so .
Now imagine we had a country that offered its young citizens, various opportunities that could maximize their talents and potentials.. It would definitely enrich the individuals and the society at large...
Apart from the Government who is laden with the major responsibility to provide opportunities for its citizens, we as individuals could also play a major part.
When we know better we do better!
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