Dreams do come true
“Never stop believing in yourself because nobody is more powerful than you are”
My name is Aphiwe Zimema, and I am from Khayelitsha. Before I joined the young women’s program -The Emergent Business and Coding Academy, I had failed my grade 12 and had no hope for the future. In that same year my mother passed away and I became homeless with no place to stay. This was in 2017.
In 2019, I saw the poster of the opportunity by Dream Factory Foundation. An opportunity that did not require a grade 12 certificate – it was an opportunity to change my life and I applied. I got accepted into the program and my life completely changed. I used to walk 5 kilometers every day in the cold and rain to attend the classes. I also looked forward to the classes, as I would get a meal for that day, having come with an empty stomach.
Being part of the program changed me; I found goodness in me. I have gained confidence and Dream Factory changed how I saw life. I learnt to forgive myself and those who hurt me. After the 6 months skills training, Dream Factory offered me a learnership and I was able to get myself a small place to rent and have money for food. A year later, I am now a project assistant at Dream Factory where I empower township and rural youth with digital skills.
I tell the youth that they too can live their dreams. I was a person with no hope but today, I am so excited for the future.