Vanessa Theophilus: "Meeting our children's educational needs is really important." #ThankfulTuesday
"I love what I do and would not change this for anything..."
As the late Michael Jackson sang: "We are the world, we are the children, we are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving..."
Celebrating our youth is one thing, but making the time to celebrate and nurture the children that have been forgotten by society, that's a whole other thing.
Something that we have been reminded about recently is that like adults, children too come from all walks of life.
A key individual in the lives of many young kids took the time to speak to us about kids at Ethelbert Child and Youth Care, Vanessa Theophilus, the director of the home.
She shared that they have been finding as of late, more and more kids are coming in with huge educational gaps.
One example is the story of 'Jade' (an alias name used to protect the identity of the child). She had come to the home after losing her mother. The courts had determined that she needed to be sent to the home as her grandmother (her primary caregiver) was unable to care for her and her siblings.
When 'Jade' arrived, she was nine-years-old and had never seen the inside of a preschool, let alone a mainstream school. Her grandmother did not have the means to send her to an educational facility.
Only through the help of donors were they able to address this issue at the homes. They have an educational resource centre where they try their best to prepare the kids for school.
The harsh reality is that this is what happens in our communities, we lack the support that is needed to groom our young girls and boys and prepare them for their next chapters.
And so Ethelbert is a place that is trying to mentor and work with kids who have had to face far too much at their young and tender ages.
My goal in life is to help and motivate young people to change the trajectory of their life, where there is no hope, to guide them along and ensure that we level the playing field for them with those that come from well adjusted families who have the resources to make it in life.
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Theophilus shared a beautiful message with us from one of her kids who is now studying at Stellenbosch University, hoping to become a doctor.
Bongani Mkize shared these beautiful and encouraging words: "Although at times it could be frustrating, I now look back and realise that the experiences that I have been through have not only helped me become who I am today but have also helped me get to where I am today.
"Ethelbert has helped me to have more of a zest for life and through that to gain a good work ethic. The matter of fact is that life is not easy, however, through working hard, investing time into the things you love, through staying humble and through having faith in things that are unseen, basically your future, life does become easier."
He went on to say that his dream is that everyone may live life to the full, no matter what situation they are in.
If you would like to volunteer your time as a tutor, or have the means to donate, then you can contact Vanessa and her team on the Ethelbert website.
Remember that when it comes to donation, sometimes giving your time and love means more. So don't always say you don't have the money to help someone out, it can be the most rewarding thing to give your time to someone.
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