Home again

Some of the children in the center say that they have a sense of security and a stable home in our large family, which they do not know otherwise. As orphans, they are usually taken care of by a grandmother, aunt or neighbor in an environment that can often change rapidly. While it is certainly true that most foster mothers care for the children with a lot of love and support, for various reasons, children sometimes may experience drastic changes repeatedly. They are passed from one place to another and have to cope in new surroundings and come to terms with the situations that are offered to them.

This is also what happened to Khumo and Sana M., who were taken in by their grandmother in Soshanguve as the youngest of four siblings after the loss of their parents. It took them some time to adjust to the new situation and to our center. After only one year however, an uncle took them to live with him in Limpopo (some 150km away), so they had to leave Soshanguve and our center again. Unfortunately, Khumo and Sana were not really accepted by their uncle's wife, which was felt by the children. They focused strongly on their uncle, who gave them a lot of attention and support. But then the uncle died unexpectedly, and they found themselves in an extremely difficult situation. Fortunately, their grandmother was now able to bring them back to Soshanguve. In the meanwhile 9-member household it has become very crowded, but the grandmother still has a big heart for the two. At the center, Khumo and Sana were again warmly welcomed by all the children and caregivers. They immediately felt at home again in the familiar surroundings.