There were days when I spent hours travelling just to study, but I knew every sacrifice would bring me one step closer to changing my family's future.
Growing up in Phool Nagar, Waqas understood from an early age what hard work looked like. His father spent years working as a conductor at Toyota, doing everything he could to provide for his family. Although money was always tight, education remained a priority, and going TCF gave Waqas the opportunity to dream beyond his circumstances.
After completing his Matriculation with outstanding results, the path ahead was uncertain. Paying for college was a challenge, and Waqas had to request an installment plan so his father could manage the fees. Then came another setback: the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled his first-year examinations. Instead of allowing the hurdles to slow him down, he used the unexpected break to prepare for his second-year studies. Waqas travelled nearly 35 kilometers each day to attend evening classes while balancing long hours of study. His determination paid off when he graduated with 1,077 marks in FSc pre-engineering.
With strong grades and encouragement from his family, Waqas earned admission to the UET. Although his brother took out a loan to pay the first semester fee, continuing his education would have been impossible without the support that followed. TCF stepped in to fund his remaining semesters, allowing him to focus on building a future instead of worrying about whether he could stay in university.
University brought new challenges. Coming from a non-technical background, computer science was an unfamiliar territory. Waqas began teaching himself web development through free online resources while also taking on tuition jobs and freelancing to pay for hostel and living expenses. Even during an unpaid internship, he continued juggling work and studies, determined to gain the practical skills employers were looking for.
Every opportunity taught me something new. Whether it was tutoring, freelancing, or internships, each experience prepared me for the next chapter.
That persistence paid off. Before graduating in 2025, Waqas secured a position as a Frontend Developer after successfully completing a competitive interview process. Today, he works with clients, delivers real-world software projects, and continues to grow professionally in the technology industry. Looking back, he credits his journey to consistent hard work, the support of his family, and the opportunities made possible through TCF.
For Waqas, education was never just about earning a degree. It was about creating possibilities, not only for himself, but for the family whose sacrifices made every milestone possible. His story is a reminder that when determination meets opportunity, lives can be transformed.
