Let’s send Thando back to school to get her Hospitality Management Diploma!

My Name is Thando Dhlamini (22) I grew up in the township area of Hammanskraal. I was raised by family guardians.

I discovered my passion in the hospitality industry by the age of 8 when I used to watch cook shows and would implement what I've seen and learnt in my guardian's kitchen. Oh! It was a real feast when I got in the kitchen! The interest and passion went on until I completed my Grade 12 (National Senior Certificate) in the year 2016 and I couldn't wait to further my studies at the International Hotel School studying towards a Diploma in Hospitality Management. They say that you can plan a pretty picnic but you can't predict the weather; unfortunately during the first year of my studies my guardians past away and that meant that the people who took me in, nurtured me and my dreams and paid for my fees were no longer here with me. After failing to get study loans and making ends meet, I was then sent home from one of my practicals as I could no longer afford to pay my tuition.

I was really fortunate to get tuition fee assistance from one of my classmate's family (Kgodane Family) as I told Kgaogelo Kgodane about the difficulties I was facing. I was then able to complete both my 1st and 2nd year of studies with an average of 76% and I have managed to secure a 30% bursary from the International Hotel School towards my third year! To supplement this, I have started my own bakery business called "Tee's Baking Addiction" where I create little holidays in a box. My customers get to enjoy out of this world amazing flavoured cakes and cupcakes, giving them holiday bliss and carefully getting them through the global pandemic which we are faced with.

In 2021, I will be in my third and final year of studies and I am humbly asking for your assistance with 70% my tuition fees. If there's anything I have learnt in 2020, it is that the grace of God never runs out and that there is so much good in humanity, we have carried each other through very difficult times and I ask you to do same for me so that I complete my studies debt free. I will pay this forward to others someday and I will also make you very proud!

Thank you very much in advance for your generosity!