Succsess stories | A reaching hand - Colleens place of hope

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Ebernizer Educare Center

Thanks to A Reaching Hands sponsors, we are now able to provide 5 previously disadvantaged single women a secure income. They have gained their self-worth and can provide food and schooling for their own children.

Ebernizer Educare Center are currently caring for
children from 40 families, giving them a secure and stimulating environment. This will provide them with the foundation to perform in primary school, something many children in the townships never get a chance to realise. As a result of lack of support we have many school drop outs and children having to repeat grades.

Colleens Place of Hope

Colleen�s Place of Hope has opened its� doors, sheltered and cared for infants for over 20 years.

Thanks to A Reaching Hand sponsors, we are able to support Colleen in her important work, building a sound foundation for children and youth and to make possible more stories like these::

Thobile
Thobile is 14 years old. She grew up in a house where her father abused her and she was at risk for her safety. Colleen took her under her wing and gave her a new life. At school, Thobile failed twice, but persevered and with hard work completed Grade 12. This gave her a ticket to a successful future. She is now at college and working hard to become a qualified Structural Engineer. We wish Thobile all the best in the future, and we thank Colleen for giving Thobile the strength and confidence to carry on�

Vanessa, together with her sister, arrived at Colleen�s Place of Hope when she was 12 years� old. She is now 24 years� old. Vanessa works full time at Delta Airlines Call Centre and supports herself.

Heinrich, �My name is Heinrich, I am 20 years� old. I like watching sport, listening to music, cars, reading, travelling and mother nature.
I have been living with Colleen for nearly 11 years. I came here at the age of 9 years.
At the age of nine I went to school and matriculated in 2008 in Mitchell�s Plain. I started working the following year until 2011, when I decided to study Mechanical Engineering.

I worked for two and a half years on big ships and fell in love with mechanical work and that�s where I discovered that this was my dream job. My first experience on a ship and on a plane was fantastic! I am now studying engineering and hopefully in three years� time I will be a qualified Engineer.�

Read more about Colleens place of Hope here

Zubenathi, Unathi, Enkosinathi

Three siblings, all born to a destitute and traumatised woman. Today they are 9, 6 and 4 years� old.

The oldest, Zubenathi, is today a most well-mannered, confident and handsome young man. He is a devoted sportsman and is actively competing in soccer, rugby and lifesaving training on the beach. Zubenathi is doing very well at school and is a confident and happy boy. This is thanks to his support mom Joanne; and A Reaching Hand sponsors Mari and Bo who pay his aftercare fees, his school uniform and who offer financial support.

Unathi is 6 years� old. She was adopted when she was 2 years, and now lives happily with the Hoole family. She spends time regularly with her brothers and is growing into a beautiful young girl who has many opportunities in her future.

Enkosinathi is the youngest. His support mom Joanne ensures that Enkisonathi�s mother gets him to playschool every day. At school he gets three meals a day and important educational stimulation as well as the correct medication. He is malnourished and has not grown well. A Reaching Hand thanks Mari and Bo who are making this all possible with their kind financial support.

Read more about Ncandeka, their mother, here

Anna was born in Zimbabwe. There she and her family suffered extreme poverty. After her parents died she was unable to provide for her family of nine members, including her 12 years old son. In 2007 Anna left Zimbabwe and settled in Cape Town. Here she battled to find work, and was only able to find seasonal work picking grapes. She fell pregnant with twins. In 2009 there was a wave of xenophobic attacks and Anna was sheltered in a safe house with her newborn twins.
When the twins were 10 months� old she had to leave the safe house, as other people needed the space. It was at then that we heard Anna�s story from a friend, and decided to look after her. She stayed with us for 5 months whilst I helped her look for work. I needed to support her emotionally, as we didn�t know how she would cope as an unemployed, single mother with twins. A few times she was ready to give up.
We finally found her employment as a nanny with a wonderful family. This turned Anna�s life around. She is now able to support herself and her children.
She has regained her self-confidence and has strength to move forward.
Thanks to A Reaching Hand sponsors, Anna has had the financial support to make her dream come true. After not seeing her family and son for two and a half years, she was able to visit them. She was able to stay for 3 weeks and has now brought her son, now 16 years old, to attend school in Cape Town.

Anna with her son Blessing and her twins Brandon and Nathalie.