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Ignition has its best year

Ignition is Rays of Hope project that mentors young university students from Alex. Sarah van Zyl, Project Leader, explained that 2015 had probably been the project’s most successful year yet. “Of the 89 semester courses that our students took in 2015, we had an overall pass rate of 93% and of these courses, 28% were passed with distinction. We also had two students graduate.”

Ignition is Rays of Hope project that mentors young university students from Alex. Sarah van Zyl, Project Leader, explained that 2015 had probably been the project’s most successful year yet. “Of the 89 semester courses that our students took in 2015, we had an overall pass rate of 93% and of these courses, 28% were passed with distinction. We also had two students graduate.” Sarah was speaking at the annual function where Ignition recognises the achievements of its students. The students are clearly proud of their achievements, and the leaders and mentors satisfied that their efforts have been worthwhile. Ignition selects matric learners from Alexandra who show academic potential and personal commitment to building their careers, and offers them professional guidance in terms of their choice of university and area of study. Loan funding is then arranged and a mentor assigned to each participant. Their progress is monitored for the duration of their studies. It is a long, intense process that usually lasts several years for a successful student. Ignition currently has thirteen students in the programme. Candice graduated at the end of 2015 with a BA from the Health Sciences faculty at UNISA. She majored in Psychology and Social Services and is currently doing her Honours in Developmental Studies at the University of Pretoria. “The course took me four years,” she explains. “Because I was working at the same time, I found it emotionally exhausting, but I managed to get there in the end.” Besides achieving her degree, Candice received several awards for her ground-breaking work in improving the standard of sanitation for large parts of Alex Township. Nokuthula is in her final year of study to become a Clinical Laboratory Technician. “I studied at the Vaal University of Technology with a bursary from Lancet Laboratories. Now the formal studies are over and I am doing my practical year at one of the Lancet labs. I look forward to finishing in 2016 so I can get on with my career. Ignition has been amazing – they have helped me every step of the way through support and mentoring,” she explained. Ayabonga initially studied Mathematical Sciences, but midway through the year found that it was not what he expected, so he left university. “I was undecided about what to do, so I approached Ignition. They were fantastic, and gave me a range of tests and meetings with counsellors. I am now doing a B. Comm. Accounting, which is perfect for me. I am enjoying the course and my life is well-rounded. I even sing in the University choir! Without the support and belief of my family and Ignition, I would not be where I am today. I am the first person from my family to go to university and they are so proud of me.” Ignition is full of stories of young people from backgrounds that are not conducive to academic education and career-enhancement, stories of matriculants who have great potential but who lack the funding to go to university. “This is a partnership,” explains Sarah. “We provide the guidance and the means to study. But in the end, it is up to the students themselves to make it happen, even though their circumstances are extremely difficult. Working in Ignition restores your faith in people. It’s amazing how successful young people can be, if they are only given a chance.”

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