Being young and living in South Africa comes with many challenges such as unemployment, peer pressure and at times, access to basic services i.e. education. When a child is placed in an institution such as a children’s home or is a part of a community care programme, it seems the stacks against you are stacked even higher. But, being in a home or programme could be the one chance that helps change a child’s life.
Thanks to YOU, these young people have been afforded the opportunity to envision a bright future for themselves and families.

Changed behaviour is a recipe for success

Thembi (17) has always felt the need to fit in. Her mother passed away when she was a baby and her father’s whereabouts are unknown. She was adopted by family members but that was not a conducive environment for a young girl who longed to belong. As a coping mechanism, Thembi began stealing, lying and was disrespectful to those around her and her family could not take care of her anymore.

In 2015, she was placed at the Abraham Kriel Bambanani Langlaagte Campus and attends a special needs school. She was a disruptive pupil and was always fighting with others.  In 2020, after countless therapy sessions, Thembi and her social worker had a break through. “In 2020, we saw a big change in Thembi’s behaviour. This behavioural change may have been brought on by the fact that we had traced and found her maternal family. This has had a positive impact on her – she now has a sense of belonging. She has become more open and through therapy has gained insight into her behaviour and is always trying to do better”, says Social Worker, Renata van Jaarsveld.

Thembi is in her final year at school and is an RCL member (prefect).

A huge accomplishment for a pupil who was disruptive and disrespectful.

Thembi wants to become a chef and she and her social worker are looking at culinary schools. “Thembi has had a career assessment and we know for sure that this is what she wants to do. She has been consistent with her dream of becoming a chef – she is always helping with cooking at the house and is always the first to put up her hand to bake or cook lunch for special occasions. We are looking for a culinary school for her. She is anxious about her future but is excited and looking forward to what the next chapter of her life brings”, adds Renata.

Mandla’s first soccer trial

Playing in the DSTV Premier Soccer League (PSL) is a dream for many of the young boys in the township.  Mandla (14) is one such boy who dreams of playing soccer professionally.

Mandla is in AKB’s Soweto Family Care Programme.  He lives in Emdeni, Soweto with his paternal grandmother. The family lives in a four room home and are dependent on the granny’s grant and child support grant they receive for Mandla and his brother. Mandla believes playing for a club in the PSL will change his life for the better. “I want to build a house for my grandmother. A house where I will have my own bedroom. Going to my first trial at Kaizer Chiefs was one of the best days of my life”, says Mandla.

Mandla recently went to a one day trial at one of the biggest soccer clubs in South Africa … Kaizer Chiefs Football Club.  “This trial and experience meant a lot to him. Being at the clubs training grounds in Naturena, made him feel special and confident” says Mandla’s coach at the Emdeni Football Club.  To top it all off, he had the opportunity to meet Kaizer Chiefs first team coach Arthur Zwane. “We are very fortunate and happy that our beneficiaries are afforded these kinds of opportunities. It gives them hope and exposes them to life beyond their current environment”, says Social Worker, Innocentia Baloyi.

Mandla and his coach have not heard from Kaizer Chiefs as yet. They are expecting feedback from the club in August.

Mandla attended the trials with donated soccer boots and will need sufficient gear for the future.

ARE THERE ANY FOOTBALL FANS WHO WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED WITH MANDLA? Please contact us

I WILL become a social worker

“Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be at university. I didn’t think I had a chance”– Lucia.

Lucia is a 21 year old beneficiary of the Benoni Satellite home and is studying towards a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with a major in Psychology at the North West University. She could not enrol for the Social Work course she has always dreamed of because she fell short of three points on the Admission Point Score required for admission. But, this has not deterred Lucia from working towards her dream.

To study towards a four year Social Work qualification and to stay at the university’s residence, Lucia will need to accumulate points from her current course and another student programme. In May, she joined the university’s radio programme. This programme will allow her to accumulate enough points to stay on the campus. “Radio was never a part of my plan. At first I was just doing it to earn points but I’m really enjoying it. It is a great platform that has allowed me to use my voice, listen, learn from others and to speak up”, says Lucia.

Lucia was placed in AKB’s care because she is considered an orphan and had no-one to care for her.

“Being here (university) makes me so happy and I want to make sure I use this opportunity to make something of my life. I thought I was the only one who didn’t have parents and was in a children’s home, but that isn’t the case. I’ve met so many other students who have a similar story to mine and that has also helped me deal with my trauma. I’m even more motivated now to want to become a social worker and help others. I will work hard and get my credits to study social work in 2023. I am grateful for this opportunity and what YOU have done for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart”, adds Lucia.

We have graduates!

This “graduation season”, the AKB Soweto Family Care programme had students walk up the podium to receive their degrees.

Aya graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Law degree and is studying towards an LLB at the University of Johannesburg.

Mase graduated with a BSc Life Sciences degree and is currently doing her honours at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.

We’re very proud of them and wish them all the best with their postgraduate studies.  Abraham Kriel Bambanani approaches donors and foundations to obtain funds for tertiary studies.  Study fees and living costs are only possible when donors are involved.