Help me become Dr Olivier

Good day, my name is Taylon Olivier and I am currently a fourth year medical student at the University of Witwatersrand. 

Since I can remember, I have dreamed of becoming a doctor. I have been very privileged to be granted the opportunity to pursue this aspiration, even though it came after multiple rejections and acquiring another degree first. 

My deep-rooted passion for medicine combined with the anticipation of what a difference I would be able to make for the hopeless and vulnerable fuels my journey. My empathetic approach and diligent personality, along with my degree in Emergency Medical Care, are driving me towards becoming a noteworthy doctor and an advocate for my future patients. My practical experiences so far have encouraged me to persevere, as I know how great the need in our country is, and how great my love for it is. 

Unfortunately, medicine is not a cheap or easy ride, and despite my non-linear journey to get here, tuition has been my greatest opposer. I was lucky enough to receive a partial bursary for my prior degree, and I also managed to get a student loan for the last year of my education. While I am profoundly grateful for these opportunities, with each passing year, the accumulated yearly tuition and the increasing interest on the loan is quickly becoming very heavy. 

For this year alone, I am staring at a bill of R107 000, which includes the tuition fee, language studies and medical equipment, plus R100 000 from my previous year's loan. With two more years of studies still remaining after this, the financial burden is becoming increasingly difficult and stressful to handle. Therefore, I am here, humbly seeking your support.

I appreciate how far I've come - it feels like a privilege and a testament to my perseverance. And I am confident that, with some assistance, I can go much further. I am extremely grateful for your time in reading my story and I want you to know that even the smallest contribution will make a significant difference.

As said in Psalms 121:2, "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth"