From the Library to Lecture Halls: The Story of Leonardo Abrahams

Leonardo began visiting the Ashton Library in Grade 10, in 2017. His first school project was about water, and the library assisted him by providing information from its resources, including newspaper clippings from the Langeberg Express about the latest water analysis conducted by the Langeberg Municipality. He later shared that he had done very well in that task, and from then on, he began visiting the library every afternoon after school until closing time, continuing this routine until the end of his matric year in 2019.

Leonardo was one of the top twenty students in the Western Cape and served as Head Boy of Ashton Senior Secondary School in 2019.

At the beginning of his matric year, the library staff became aware of Leonardo’s difficult home circumstances. From that point, they decided to provide him with a sandwich and a cool drink in summer, or something warm like coffee or hot chocolate in winter, every day. When the library closed in the afternoons, they gave him something extra to take home. Noticing that he wore a long-sleeved top even on the hottest days due to the poor condition of his only school shirt, Mrs. Da Luz bought him two new white shirts and a pullover as prescribed by the school. Occasionally, the staff also helped with electricity costs at his home so he could continue studying in the evenings, and they assisted with funding for his university applications.

When Leonardo was asked what had first motivated him to visit the library in Grade 10 and what kept him returning, he said that at first, he was drawn to the sense of calm the library offered. Over time, as he visited more often, he developed a deep appreciation for the staff, and the library gradually came to feel like a second home.

Leonardo’s dream of becoming a heart surgeon began after his father passed away from a heart attack at a young age. Upon finishing school, he was accepted to both UCT and Stellenbosch University to study medicine and ultimately chose UCT.

The library staff considered it a privilege to help this remarkable young man prepare for university by providing him with bedding, a coffee mug, a key holder, toiletries, towels, a backpack, and other essentials.

Leonardo excelled from the start. In most of his subjects, he achieved marks of 100%. By his third year, he was enrolled in three degrees simultaneously, working on twenty-one modules, most of which he passed with 100%, and the remainder between 97–99%.

In an article published by Kuier magazine, Leonardo said, “Na skool gaan hy meestal nie huis toe nie, maar spandeer smiddae in die dorp se biblioteek tot die deure sluit” (“After school, he mostly doesn’t go home but spends his afternoons in the town library until it closes”). One of his teachers mentioned in the same article that Leonardo went to the library every day as if it were his home — a place where he felt safe. A local newspaper also reported that his daily routine was to go to the library after school until closing time.

He is currently in his fifth year of study and has already obtained three degrees. In his fourth year, he conducted research on hereditary diseases through Molmed and was awarded first place for his outstanding research.

Leonardo remains a humble and modest individual despite his exceptional achievements. We eagerly look forward to seeing what the future holds for him.

The Library staff, proudly share, “Leonardo is our “library child” — he holds a very special place in our hearts, and we are immensely proud of him.”

Leonardo’s story reminds us that after school spaces like community libraries are far more than places of books and silence — they are sanctuaries of hope. When young people find safety, care, and encouragement in such spaces, their dreams take flight.