Supporting a Calling to Teach

My name is Chelsea Boyd, and I am currently a third-year Foundation Phase Education student at Stellenbosch University. Teaching is not just a career choice for me — it is my calling. I have a deep love for working with young children and a strong desire to make a meaningful difference in their lives through education.

Over the past three years, I have remained a dedicated and hardworking student. I have passed every academic year with distinction, I never miss classes, and I consistently give my best despite the challenges I face. I come from a difficult financial background and was raised by a single mother who has sacrificed endlessly to support my education.

Unfortunately, my journey has been deeply affected by ongoing funding issues. Although I was approved for NSFAS in 2023 and Funza Lushaka in 2024, both bursaries failed to pay my tuition fees, and my funding was later withdrawn without any valid explanation. Despite numerous emails and calls, I have received no response. Because of this, my mother had to take out loans to cover my first two years of university,...