Parow man’s walk to cover wife’s student debt pays off
A Parow West woman's dream of becoming a school teacher could soon become a reality afters she and her husband were able to raise R30 000 to pay off her student debt.
Washiela Williams says she had to put her dream of being the first university graduate in her family on hold after Unisa told her she couldn’t receive her Bachelor of Education degree until she paid her outstanding fees (“Parow man to walk 600km to pay off wife’s student debt,” Northern News, March 28).
She started a BackaBuddy campaign in January to raise the money, but it only gained traction after her husband, Lucien, announced he would walk from Cape Town Stadium to George, from Thursday March 23 to April 1, to promote the campaign.
The couple say they have now raised the full amount needed to cover the student debt.
"Although she is too late for this term's graduation, she will be able to receive her results so she can register with the teachers’ board and start applying for teaching roles," Mr Williams said.
Ms Williams said she was overwhelmed by the support they received.
"I am grateful and feel blessed that I can take this next step in my career for my family and myself with the help of those who opened their hearts to us. Thank you and may God bless you all," she said.
Mr Williams described the 10-day walk as "magical and transformational“, saying, "I was fuelled by excitement and wonder. Even though I was physically sore and it was a challenge on my body, I am grateful for it, and want to keep pushing my limits going forward.”
He said he had been amazed by the love, generosity and sense of community he had felt at every stop.
"On day 2, I was essentially without a place to sleep that night and within 10 minutes of putting it out on my socials I was contacted by family of a friend of a friend who came to fetch me where I had collapsed outside Grabouw Superspar.
"Each person I met every day was somehow connected to another person from my walk or to someone from my life back home in Cape Town... this connectedness was why I never felt foreign or out of place but rather at home each and every night.
"This became bigger than just me and my wife and I am humbled to have been used in that way.“
