Helping hand for those looking towards future
Ntombentsha Msutu
SHE grew up poor, just like any girl in a township, but she told herself education was absolutely essential to give her options in life.
Sandiswa Adams, 28, who lives in Motherwell NU12, grew up in Cradock, and was raised by her grandparents.
"We grew up poor but never went to bed hungry.
"My grandad had a small tyre repair shop and a piece of land where we grew our own fruit and vegetables," she said.
At 13, she went to George to be with her mother and in 2004 came to Port Elizabeth to study at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
"I had to break through a couple of proverbial concrete walls due to financial constraints.
"But I overcame those trials to get my master's degree last month."
"I have always known, that for me, education was the only way to buy options in life, to expose me to people, things and places that I would not otherwise be exposed to" Adams said.
She has been working as an administrator at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality for the past five years.
As a labour of love she recently started her own non-profit organisation. In 2010 she started The Initiative, focusing on HIV and Aids campaigns in churches.
But the focus changed when she saw some of the schools in Motherwell were struggling when it came to material.
"The Initiative has an undocumented history before 2010 prior to obtaining legal status as a non-profit company.
"Our core focus is youth development, servicing our disadvantaged community.
"My future plan for the organisation is to secure funding for sustainability and to grow The Initiative.
"And for me – to live my passion while I inspire the youth to dream beyond their immediate circumstances."