“ Finally I am writing my matric examinations later this year. It has been a turbulent and trying journey.

My mother does not have matric. I am honouring her by completing what she always wanted me to do,’’ said

Elsie Molahlegi, a Type 2 Crew Leader at Roodeplaat Team. Molahlegi said that from childhood her mother always encouraged her to study so that she could have a professional career.

Molahlelgi said there was no school in her area. ‘‘I had to walk a 15 kilometre return trip to the nearest high school. It was painful that I couldn’t go to school anymore,’’ explains Molahlegi.

She was recruited by Working on Fire in 2010.

She did Grade 10 at the Adult Basic Education and Training centre in Hammanskraal. She passed, dropped out in 2014 and returned in 2015 to do Grade 11.

‘‘Completing my studies was not easy. My hard work is about to pay off. Education is the only weapon for me to change life for me and my family,’’ she says. ‘‘I’m a single parent juggling work, studies and family responsibilities but I am studying hard to make sure I pass my final examinations. I have never been this optimistic in life; it is exciting.’’

Molahlegi says that she is grateful that she can earn a living while studying.