Aviwe Mado believes his education is the best way to uplift himself, and he takes it seriously; a group of donors came together to help him pay his university fees.
Johannesburg, South Africa ( 18 November 2021) – To say that Aviwe Mado is a man on a mission is an understatement! This soft-spoken young man from deep rural Eastern Cape has been a student at the University of Pretoria for the past four years. Aviwe’s education is of high importance to him as it will be how he uplifts himself.
Like many students born in poverty, he arrived in Pretoria with very little. His tuition and residence fees were paid by the government’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NFSAS) for undergraduate tertiary studies, but he had no support from home.
Sadly, Aviwe’s mother died from suspected poisoning around the same time he started to go blind. He never knew his father, but thankfully he has a brother.
Aviwe was taken to a children’s welfare facility for the disabled, and it was there his eye condition was discovered. Unfortunately, there were no means for treatment, and he eventually lost his sight, leaving him completely blind.
Despite his hardships, Aviwe knew that an education was his way out of poverty. He always dreamed of studying but missed the application cut-offs for a degree in Law. With the help of his social worker, Aviwe was able to enrol in a three-year BSoc Social Sciences degree. He completed his degree and not one to give up, enrolled for his dream degree at the start of 2021, an LLB.
NSFAS only pays for one undergraduate course, which meant Aviwe would be financially responsible for his second degree. That’s why the house heads at TuksVillage, Robyn and Steven Ball, contacted Good Morning Angels for assistance on Aviwe’s behalf.
“He is independent, compassionate, he never asks, and never wants to be a burden. But, this world is better off for having him”.
They shared his story with the team, and together with several donors, they raised the money needed to fund Aviwe’s fees for 2021.
Robyn and Steven Ball contributed R10,000, Dave Arnold, representing AutoX, manufacturer of Willard and Sabat batteries, donated R50,000, and the Good Morning Angels Fund made up the balance with an R35,000 donation.
“Not only is law his dream, it’s a platform for him to make an impact in this world and make a future for himself. He wants to do more than push papers in this world. He wants to make a difference.”
“Aviwe is the first person to wish us as house parents a happy mother’s or father’s day, before our own children. He is the first person at the door with a gift to wish our two girls a happy birthday. He is independent, compassionate, he never asks, and never wants to be a burden. But this world is better off for having him. And he is the first person who will ‘Pay it back’ one day. Watch this space! :-)” – Robyn and Steven Ball.
We have faith that Aviwe will pay every kindness forward when the time comes; his good heart is such an inspiration. Stay tuned; this bright mind will be going places!
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