I am 20 years old. I matriculated last year, but have not been able to find a job. My family do not have money for me to study further so there is no hope of college or university. Also, my results were not very good so there is zero chance of me ever getting a bursary.

I am 20 years old. I matriculated last year, but have not been able to find a job. My family do not have money for me to study further so there is no hope of college or university. Also, my results were not very good so there is zero chance of me ever getting a bursary.

For the first three or four months of this year, I would rush out to buy the newspaper every day and scan the jobs section.

I cannot begin to tell you how many calls I have made and how many interviews I have been to. For nothing.

Both my mother and father work, but we are five kids at home and money is short. Now I have just given up hope.

I stay at home every day, but am so bored that I could die. In fact, suicide is on my mind a lot.

Please help. What can I do to make life better?

Got The Blues, Soweto

Sister, pull yourself together right now and stop feeling sorry for yourself. Millions of people are in the same situation in this country and it is no good moping and feeling helpless.

The fact is that your parents are working and there is food on the table and that is a helluva lot more than many people have.

Instead of sitting around all day, put more enthusiasm into doing your chores and housework and give everyone a pleasant surprise to come home to when they return from school and work.

If there is a bit of spare money, perhaps think about starting your own small business. And don't stop looking for a job - perhaps the problem has been that you have applied for positions for which you are not qualified?

Stop moping and start looking at alternatives and make a way to get out of this mess. And stop thinking about suicide. Life is precious - don't throw yours away.