“Taking the plunge into the water wasn't easy for me, a little orphan girl from the township,” Lebogang recalls. “It took me some time to adjust to life at a private school and in a boarding school. Thanks to the holistic support of Ma Estelle and Pa Walter — not only financial help, but also spiritual, physical and emotional support — I graduated from high school and received a bursary to study at the University of Pretoria. Throughout my Foundation Phase Teacher training, which I completed with honours, House of Encouragement was always by my side. Today, I am a first-grade teacher with 38 students in Hammanskraal, and I am happy that I can give back some of what was invested in me.”
Tlabego Moswatupa, coming into 6th year of study in Medicine, says: "Studying really isn't easy, but I love it. Every day I feel blessed when I remember where I come from. Most young people from the township never experience life to the fullest. Dreams are impossible for them and they lose themselves on the streets, from where they often can't escape. I am so grateful that I have been given the opportunity to make a difference for myself and my family. I wake up and have food on the table, books to study, and a safe place to live. I have everything I need and can focus on my studies.
I really enjoy my daily work at the hospital, even though it can be very hectic at times, so much so that I often forget to take a break. Communicating with patients and being part of a system that offers people psychological, medical, and emotional support is simply wonderful."
"My journey with the center (says Ofentse) began at the age of 12, shortly after I lost my mother. From that moment on, my life was never the same. What began as a safe place where we received daily meals and fellowship with children in the same situation soon became a home full of care, guidance, and reliable support. The caregivers did more than just look after us; they believed in us, encouraged us, and reminded us of our worth and potential.
I am grateful and proud to announce that I graduated from the University of Johannesburg in March 2024 with a degree in Human Resource Management. Today, I work as a junior HR consultant, and although the road ahead is still full of discoveries and growth, I am confident because House of Encouragement has given me a solid foundation for my life.“
House of Encouragement