The financial help bursaries offer can open doors for young people and set them on a path to success, but sometimes students need more than money to achieve their dreams.
Engineering student and Steinmüller Africa bursary recipient Londiwe Maseko found that human connection can make a big difference. She says the company did not give up on her, even “when I gave up on myself” and she received the support she needed to carry her through two failed academic years and a traumatic accident involving a delivery bike.
Makseko advises:
- Many bursary programmes cover tuition fees only, but most recipients also need help with textbooks, a laptop, outings, holiday work opportunities, and even counselling services and regular check-ins;
- Regular calls to recipients can help them overcome any academic or personal challenges that could prevent them from completing their degrees; and
- When students have a positive bursary experience, they are more likely to reach out and support other young people, so the programme’s impact is felt far beyond individual recipients.
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