My name is Asanda Vakalisa. I spend most of my days thinking about how to change my life and how to change the lives of others around me. I’ve dropped out of University twice because I wasn’t in the right headspace but I have always known that I have a greater purpose and that there is a new world out there that I need to experience for myself and for others who are unable to. I finally finished my degree on my third attempt, I faced more challenges than I ever had before and at some point I felt that I wasn’t cut out for University. In the nine years that I’ve been out of High school, I have learned so much. I would often ask myself whether I should have chosen to continue at my old retail job. I have also learned the value of hard work; work that often comes with no pay and coupled up with sleepless nights because nothing seemed to be coming together, pushed only by the hope for a brighter future after getting that degree. I grew resilient, my pride was shredded because when you are on a journey of self-growth and try to better your situation, it doesn’t matter how many times you are repeating a module, how “uncool” you are for having to attend classes even though your fellow classmates can witness that or how your peers are thriving in the stable jobs or businesses. When I read about this opportunity I was very excited, I don’t have the experience but I hold a degree in Social sciences majoring in Industrial Sociology and Psychology. I possess good people skills, I communicate effectively, I am a hardworking person and I work well in a team and also by myself. I seek advice when I’m clueless about something and I accept help where it is offered, I’m willing to learn and I’m open to constructive criticism. Kindest regards, Asanda Vakalisa