Final year medical student Akudziweishe Dugunye’s studies have seen her overcome great obstacles in pursuit of her dream. Now with the finish line in sight, those touched by her story are coming together to make sure the future doctor gets to be the hero she’s worked so hard to be:
Johannesburg, South Africa (09 November 2023)—If Sarah Camp’s monster cycle brought anything to the forefront of our minds recently, it’s that student debt really sucks. However, she also showed us that there are a lot of people who are committed to making it suck a lot less. They might not necessarily be on bicycles trekking across the country, but the people rallying for Akudziweishe Dugunye are heading towards the same goal posts—getting a future doctor to her dream, right on time.
Aku is a 25-year-old final-year medical student whose journey through her studies has been a shining example of determination against the odds.
Her hero origin story begins in 2017 when she began studying towards a degree in Biomedical Sciences. Determined to support her, her father and role model financed her education even though it meant borrowing money, which put a big strain on his financial situation. By the end of her second year, the debt accumulated was heavy, resulting in him having to withdraw from his pension to pay it off.
By grace, Aku’s plea to have the debt cleared by the time of her undergraduate graduation was heard. But the long and costly road of becoming a doctor was only beginning.
Aku’s intelligence and hard work had earned her a spot in Med School at Wits, an achievement she holds dearly especially because only 10% of applicants make the cut. But (as it often is with academic excellence when you are not a citizen of the country and are a permanent resident student), her achievement was bittersweet as it would mean more financial headaches.
However, the future doctor navigated these obstacles with unwavering optimism and through community support and crowdfunding, was able to raise her tuition through previous years.
Now at the last push, community kindness quite literally will determine her future. With her graduation around the corner, Aku has never been closer to her dream.
Speaking to Good Things Guy, she shared what being a future doctor means to her:
“Becoming a doctor isn’t just a career path; it’s a profound commitment to stand in the gap for individuals, to be the comforting presence during their health journey. It’s about embracing each person’s story with empathy, finding joy in their recovery, and being a source of solace.
“In this role, I connect with people from various walks of life, share their struggles and celebrate their triumphs. It’s not just healing bodies; it’s touching souls and inspiring a brighter, healthier future for each person I encounter.”—Akudziweishe Dugunye.
In a message of encouragement to others in similar circumstances, she shared this beautiful message:
“To my fellow dream pursuers grappling with financial challenges, let me share a glimpse of my journey—the quiet battles waged during sleepless nights, the moments where the dream felt distant. These struggles, known only to us, shape our narrative.
“Yet, here I stand, on the cusp of realising that dream. Understand, your silent battles are not in vain. Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s an act of courage. Together, let’s turn our shared resilience into a beacon of hope, inspiring one another to overcome.
“Keep believing, keep pushing—our breakthroughs are on the horizon.”
You can be part of Aku’s triumph over adversity by making a contribution to her dream here.
by 