Woman comes up with novel idea to raise fees

Miss Rujeko Sithole, who is a second year student studying Accounting Science with the University of South Africa said she first came up with the idea after interacting with Bulawayo City Council (BCC) workers who collect refuse from the city’s suburbs.
She said these workers mentioned how empty glass bottles could be redeemed for money at Delta Beverages.
“It was after I spoke to these BCC workers that I realised that I could raise money for my fees.
“They would ask for empty glass bottles, empty plastic bottles and empty mayonnaise bottles saying they would be recycled while the empty glass bottles could be redeemed at Delta Beverages,” said Miss Sithole.
Miss Sithole is appealing to individuals, companies and organisations with empty bottles to surrender them to her.
“I need a total of R6 129 and I am supposed to raise a minimum of R3 860 by 19 January which is about $500,” she said.
Delta Beverages buys 1litre empty glass bottles for $0.30 and 300ml empty glass bottles for $0.10.
Miss Sithole said she needed 1 667 x one-litre empty glass bottles or 5 000 x 300ml empty glass bottles or 1 250 x one litre empty glass bottles plus 1 250 x 300ml empty glass bottles.
She said the response to her appeal had so far been overwhelming.
“I have had people from as far as Harare and Lupane offering me empty glass bottles.
“Even locally, the response has been great. There is actually a woman who promised to given me 1 000 empty glass bottles,” she said.
Miss Sithole said she had also received money from well wishers through Ecocash, a money transfer service, to help her pay the balance of her tuition fees.
For the next semester’s tuition fees, Miss Sithole said she had been offered a job in one of the supermarkets in the city, where she would work as a till operator and earn about $300 a month thereby enabling her to raise money for her tuition fees.
This way, Miss Sithole said she would be able to keep herself in school until she completes her degree.
“I would like to encourage all young people out there struggling to pay for their education to brainstorm and find ideas to help themselves.
“They should not hesitate to ask their families and neighbours for help because they too could be of assistance. Ultimately, they should know that God is their helper,” said Miss Sithole.