After flying through her first year with distinctions in every one of her modules, a hurdle stands between Jasmine and her dream of becoming a wildlife nurse. One that South Africans – friends, family, and strangers – are helping her pass.
Pretoria, South Africa (25 February 2026) – If you know how competitive Onderstepoort is, you’ll understand what being accepted means. The University of Pretoria is the only institution in our country that offers the Veterinary Nursing degree, and they take a limited number of about 50 students each year.
For Jasmine, gaining that acceptance at 30 was a major milestone.
She had already built a nine-year career of hands-on experience working as a receptionist at a veterinary practice. She’d studied for a higher certificate in animal welfare part-time while working. Getting in took longer than the degree itself will, but she persevered because caring for animals is her greatest passion.
“Veterinary nursing is a passion more than it is a career choice. You need to care deeply enough to want to sit with vulnerable animals for as long as they need you.” shares Jasmine. “I want to be the one making sure they are pain free. comfortable, well-looked after before and after surgery and when they are extremely ill. It’s the tender loving care vets are often too busy to give.”
When the acceptance email finally came through in December 2024, life changed in a flash! Within weeks Jasmine had packed up her entire life in Cape Town and relocated to Pretoria. She left behind full-time income and stepped into full-time study. It was the bravest leap of faith she had ever taken.
Financial woes, more often than not, impact the trajectory for students.
Jasmine didn’t have financial backing. In fact, she had just left a full-time job for her studies. Being 30-years-old, she didn’t meet the criteria for bursaries available to school-leavers. Instead of giving up on a dream that took years to reach, she took out a student loan and with the help of her family, launched an online crowdfunding campaign that shared her plea.
Within the first month of that campaign being live, South Africans showed up.
Donors sponsored around R50,000 toward Jasmine’s first year. That support was vital, along with backing from a student loan. She flew through her first academic year with flying colours. Earned distinctions for every single one of her modules in first and second trimesters. She proved she belongs there and that those years of applying weren’t misplaced hope.
Second year now lies ahead, and Jasmine again faces a financial hurdle. This time, her student loan will not extend for another year. Thanks to the kindness of strangers, though – there’s still hope.
Jasmine’s online crowdfunding campaign picked up momentum this year again, just as she needed the backing. Over R100,000 has already been raised since January – reaching 69% of the overall R 214,000 goal that would help fund Jasmine’s veterinary nursing studies.
“The support has been phenomenal…” she says. “As my mom always says, ‘everything happens for a reason, as low as you might feel, angels will come and help you’ – everybody has been an angel. I feel very, very blessed and lucky to have so many kind people who have chosen to back me.” she adds.
Jasmine’s story is important, and her impact, after studying, could help reach thousands of vulnerable animals. She says the greater goal is to work with wildlife and particularly, within the field of anti-poaching. Her final year will come with more opportunities to work with wildlife hands-on, but she first needs to get through 2026 as well as she did first year.
With backing, she can do it. If you’d like to support Jasmine, follow this link.
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