This is my life… Pain. Toxic. Misunderstood. No-one “gets” me and nobody can help me. After 10 years of calling them my family, I had to move. A transition that felt like death to me and made me even angrier and more aggressive. Turns out this new space is quite welcoming. The ...
Help Educate a 6 year old Vernon and Desireé (pseudonyms) live in Yeoville; are Grade R pupils at Johanna Malan Early Childhood Development Centre (JMECDC) and their future, along with that of 19 other pre-schoolers, hangs in the balance at the school. The 21 pre-schoolers are in arrears with their school fees. ...
I didn’t even exist before 2016 I was born in South Africa but my parents are from Serbia and Montenegro. I came to the children’s home in December 2010 and have had problems with my citizenship papers ever since. Tannie Nicoli (housemother) and I have been to the Department of Home Affairs ...
I matter Jane recently attended her matric farewell and was surprised and made to feel special on the day by her principal. She is a 19 year old young woman, raised at our Kempton East satellite house. Her principal mentioned her in his speech when addressing pupils: “I am very proud of ...
Home is Where the Heart is Marlene’s life changed in 2009, when she became part of a donor sponsored programme in Soweto. Since then we’ve known her as a happy, loving girl whose smile brings joy to those who know and cherish her. *Marlene Mashego (pseudonym) (17) and her younger brother *Lesego ...
Dunamis Food & Events Dunamis was established in April 2017 by a former Assistant Chef student from the Emdeni Skills Development Centre, Innocentia Mtshali. Dunamis Food & Events specialises in catering and event planning. Not only is the company about rendering a service but is also about empowering women and the youth ...
Listening to the Rain Little Tumelo is happy in his bed tonight as he listens to the rain pouring down outside. He hears the breathing of his two roommates and all of this makes the most wonderful music. Earlier today Aunty Ernesta told them to stop complaining because they could not play ...
In Need of a Role Model Ken Summers (pseudonym) does not know his biological father. He lives with his grandparents, uncle and younger sister in Kathrada Park. His mother passed away when he was ten years old. One could expect the following scenario to describe this young man’s life: “Ken dropped out ...
Piet is Doing Well After Knee Operation “We need your help! Piet (16) injured his knee in a rugby match and needs a knee operation”. You may recall our cry for help for Piet’s sake late last year. And answer, you did! YOU raised over R20 000 towards the operation. Piet has been ...
My Alternative Family “I will miss walking to Rocky Street to buy amagwinya (vetkoek) for you girls; the family beds we begged aunty Esther to have; the iingedo (game played with stones) we played under the tree and the endless hide and seek games we played in the evenings”. These are the ...
