In a heartwarming tale of resilience and community support, Luke Armien, a matriculant from Mitchells Plain, found himself on a transformative journey after his plans to wash cars to fund his university registration fees went viral. The 18-year-old faced the daunting prospect of not being able to register for the University of the Western Cape (UWC) due to a lack of funds, but a sudden outpouring of generosity changed his fate.
Luke's troubles began when he received the disappointing news that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) would not be covering his first-year expenses. Facing an uncertain future, he contemplated taking a gap year, following his father’s advice, to try again in 2027. However, after acing his matric exams with five distinctions and an impressive 80% overall aggregate at Portland High School, he was determined to find a way to continue his education.
“I needed R4 900. My teachers helped me and gave me four cars to wash at R100 each. I made R400. I was set to make R1 000 after the end of that first day,” he recounted, detailing his efforts to gather the funds needed for his registration fees.
Luke’s story took a pivotal turn when Shahied Joseph, an associate who supports extra-curricular activities at his school, shared his situation with Yusuf Daniels, who manages the popular Facebook page Living Lekka. Moved by Luke’s determination, Daniels decided to post a call-to-action to his 156,000 followers after verifying Luke's academic results.
“I get this on a daily basis,” Daniels explained. “We have a decent Facebook page, so a lot of people ask for funding or food. Every now and again, I feel like I need to post one of these.” After contacting UWC for details, he was ready to help Luke share his dream.
The post quickly gained traction, amassing nearly a million views and igniting a flurry of donations from South Africans eager to assist. “Some people donated a lot,” Luke said, overcome with gratitude and emotion. “I actually cried because my mother was there…” His voice trailed off as the joy of support washed over him.
As Luke sat down to pay his registration fees, he received a surprise that would change the course of his academic journey: a bursary covering his tuition for the year, along with the option to stay in university residence. “I didn’t know I was going to get a bursary,” he said. “I thought I was first going to register, but I’m grateful that Mr Daniels told me about the bursary. I’m truly, truly grateful.”
Daniels highlighted the overwhelming generosity of the community. “We have a beautiful following on Living Lekka. People just opened their hearts to this kid,” he remarked. “It’s crazy where he is now compared to where he was four days ago. He almost gave up, and his life is about to change.”
Looking ahead, Luke has aspirations of becoming a chartered accountant. With his newfound support, he is determined to excel in his studies and repay the goodwill he has received. “I’m just grateful for what Mr Daniels did, to reach out to others and create awareness. You may not always have the necessary funds, but people will always help you,” he stated.
Reflecting on their bond, Daniels shared, “I only met him this morning, and I’ve been speaking to him for a few days. But it felt like it was my kid.” As a gesture of celebration, Daniels planned to take Luke and his family out for lunch at Nando’s.
Originally, Luke intended to return home to continue washing cars, but with the support he received, he can focus entirely on his upcoming academic journey. This inspiring story not only highlights the power of community but also serves as a reminder that determination and support can turn dreams into reality.
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