The day began with the ordinary worries of an exam day. Dorothy got up early and prepared to go to her exam venue in Parktown. On her way, she had to pass through a rough area, where a group of men approached her and took her against her will, kidnapping her. Long before the events of that morning, Dorothy had worked hard to get to this day.

Her story begins with the familiar features of struggle and sacrifice that so many experiences in the townships and villages of South Africa. Coming from a family of four, headed up by a single mother, for Dorothy, not having enough was just simply part of life. After passing matric, Dorothy found herself with no money to further her education. For two years she felt like she had no options until she heard about iQ Academy, a distance learning institution. With the affordable fees, Doris’ mother was able to pay for her to study online with iQ Academy, while Dorothy secured part-time work to help supplement the family’s income.

Juggling home study, work and family responsibilities proved to be quite a challenge and Dorothy had to rewrite one of her exams in order to pass and get her qualification. Determined to graduate, Dorothy studied hard and made sure that this time, she was ready. It was the day of her exams when she got kidnapped, on her way to write. She begged the men to let her go but to no avail. A little later, through sheer providence, she was spotted amongst the group of men by a police officer who suspected foul play. He approached to investigate and Dorothy was rescued. After being asked by the police to go to the station and lay a charge against her kidnappers, Dorothy refused to go with them in that instant. With only a little time left before the start of her exams, Dorothy asked the police to take her to her exam venue instead. She would deal with the case later; her priority was getting her qualification!

In spite of the trauma of that day, Dorothy passed her exams and got her qualification! Dorothy, you are an inspiration!