Kenzi’s journey to finding home
*Kenzi’s childhood was filled with love and laughter, thanks to her devoted mother. They were a team, facing life’s challenges together. But when Kenzi’s mother fell ill, their world began to crumble. Despite the pain and struggles, Kenzi’s mother remained her rock, reassuring her that everything would be okay.
But it wasn’t okay. Kenzi’s mother passed away in her arms when she was just 14. The loss was devastating. Kenzi’s world shattered, and she felt like she was drowning in grief.
Without her mother’s guidance and love, Kenzi struggled to cope. She was placed in a children’s home, where she faced emotional abuse and felt like she didn’t belong. She made attempts to end her life, feeling like she had nothing to live for.
Kenzi was moved to two other children’s homes, but things didn’t improve. She felt lost and alone, like she was wandering through a dark forest with no direction. She longed for love, care, and a sense of belonging.
When Kenzi arrived at Abraham Kriel Bambanani, she knew it was different. She was welcomed with open arms and showered with love. Her house parents cooked her favourite meals and listened to her stories. She felt like she belonged here, in this space where she could heal and grow. “It felt like I was home.”
Kenzi knew that she would always carry the scars of her past, but she also knew that she was no longer defined by them. She had found her “I belong” moment, and it was with the family who had taken her in and loved her unconditionally. She knows that she is ready to face whatever challenges comes her way. She is no longer alone, because she is loved.
*Not her real name
Van Verliese tot ’n “Ek hoort hier”-Oomblik
Kenzi se verhaal
*Kenzi se kinderjare was gevul met liefde en lag, danksy haar toegewyde ma. Hulle was ’n span,twee mense wat saam deur die lewe se uitdagings gestap het. Maar toe Kenzi se ma siek word, het hul wêreld stadig begin verbrokkel. Ten spyte van die pyn en swaarkry het haar ma haar bly gerusstel: alles sal reg wees.
Maar alles was nié reg nie. Kenzi se ma is in haar arms oorlede toe sy net 14 jaar oud was. Die verlies was verpletterend. Kenzi se wêreld het in stukke geval, en haar hart het gevoel asof dit in rou verdrink.
Sonder haar ma se leiding en liefde het Kenzi gesukkel om kop bo water te hou. Sy is in ’n kinderhuis geplaas waar sy emosionele mishandeling ervaar het en heeltemal ontwortel gevoel het. Sy het selfmoord oorweeg omdat sy vas oortuig was dat sy niks meer het om voor te lewe nie.
Kenzi is na twee ander kinderhuise verskuif, maar niks het verander nie. Sy het gevoel asof sy in ’n donker woud ronddwaal, alleen, verlore en sonder rigting. Sy het gesmag na liefde, omgee en ’n plek waar sy werklik behoort.
Kenzi is uiteindelik by Abraham Kriel Bambanani geplaas. “Dit het anders gevoel as die res. Ek is met ope arms ontvang. Ek was aanvanklik baie skepties, maar my nuwe Huisouers het nooit handdoek ingegooi nie. hulle het my oorlaai met liefde, my gunstellingkosse gemaak en altyd met aandag na my stories geluister.” Kenzi het by Abraham Kriel Bambanani ‘n veilige ruimte gevind, waar sy kon heel word, groei en weer mense kon vertrou. Vir die eerste keer in jare het Kenzi gevoel: “Ek is tuis.”
Kenzi weet dat sy altyd die littekens van haar verlede sal dra, maar sy weet nou dat dit haar nie meer definieer nie. Sy het haar “Ek hoor hier”-oomblik gevind by ’n familie wat haar onvoorwaardelik liefhet. Sy weet dat sy gereed is vir enige uitdaging wat op haar pad mag kom, maar die belangrikste is dat sy diep in haar hart weet sy dat sy geliefd is.
*Skuilnaam