Nhlanhla Gumede is a high school dropout and starvation was the biggest enemy at his home.

‘‘My parents are not working and starvation was a serious problem in the house. Most of the times I went to bed hungry,’’ he said.

Gumede said that he had the responsibility to fend for his family because they couldn’t eat his education.

He said after his recruitment by Working on Fire his household condition changed for the better because of the stipend he earns. He was 22 years old when he quit school in Grade 10. Nhlanhla said that he intends going back to school if his parents get jobs.

‘‘It pains me not to have completed matric. Material conditions on the ground dictated that I quit,’’ said a saddened Nhlanhla.

He said that at least with the stipend he is getting from the programme he can buy enough grocery and electricity at home. ‘‘My younger brother is at least studying at the moment. I can care for him,’’ said Nhlanhla.