Education – Page 2 – Gingersnaps

Opening Their Hearts and Home

March 31, 2018March 27, 2019https://gingersnaps.wordpress.com1 Comment

“It’s not the size of your house that makes a home… It’s the size of your heart.” ~Jane Lee Logan

In June 2017, Maria and her husband Freddy opened their hearts and home, doubling the size of their family overnight. They have six children of their own. Yet in June, they agreed to take in six of Maria’s cousin’s children who became orphaned.

unnamed-6 — The orphaned siblings with Maria and Ella. Frederick, the oldest did not move to Knysna.

Maria grew up in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. At the age of 20 years old, she had her first daughter with a man to whom she was not married. Then 3 years later, she had her second daughter. Maria is a strong woman and began raising these girls on her own.

At the age of 26, she met Freddy, the man of her dreams. They fell in love and were married. They just celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary! Freddy is a good man. He has always worked hard to take care of Maria and their children. For years, the only work he could find was in Knysna, two hours away from his family. He moved there to work and traveled home when he could to see his family. This is so typical of families. If the father is still involved with the family, he may have to live in another town to work, only seeing his family on occasion.

While he worked in Knysna, Freddy stayed with Maria’s sister. She lived in an area of the township that was very underdeveloped at the time. No roads. No concrete block homes. No water. No electricity. This was now Freddy’s home away from home. He would work all day long and often help neighbors at night and on the weekends. He is a handy man. Someone who can fix almost anything. And he is always willing to help. One neighbor took notice of his kindness to the community. She starting talking with him about his work, his family and his plans. She wanted to know if he planned to move his family to Knysna.

Of course Freddy would love to do that, but where would they live? He and his wife had six children! The woman was full of compassion. She told Freddy that she wanted to give her land to him so that he could move his family to Knysna. A piece of land full of brush and vegetation. No buildings. So much potential. Wow.

Freddy couldn’t wait to tell Maria. But she held back her excitement. She had concerns. She didn’t know this woman. What if they accepted the offer, built a home on the property, and then the woman turned around and took the land back. Valid concern.

Freddy returned to Knysna a few days later and addressed Maria’s concern with the woman. She so wanted to give them this gift. She insisted Freddy go with her to the magistrate where she signed the land over to him. It was now legal. No strings attached. A priceless gift. Maria and I both agree… a true blessing from God.

Freddy got to work building his family a wooden house. Actually one that feels large inside because he designed it with high ceilings. When it was finished, the 8 of them moved in. The home had a kitchen and two bedrooms. No bathroom.

unnamed-5 — Maria standing in front of the Wooden home Freddy built 13 years ago. The blue RDP house is in the back.

Life was good. Not easy. But good. They were surrounded by bush. No roads. No running water. No electricity. No sanitation. But they were all together again! Within a couple of years, that part of the township (Dam Se Bos) began to develop. The government brought roads, water lines, sanitation and electricity to that area. RDP homes (Reconstruction and Development Programme) were being built. A few years ago, Maria and Freddy qualified for their small government home (2 bedrooms / 1 bathroom). This now stands directly behind the wooden house.

Side note: The RDP program was initiated by the ANC Party under the leadership of Nelson Mandela. Poverty is the single greatest burden of South Africa’s people, and is the direct result of the apartheid. As part of this program, people in poverty have the opportunity to receive a free home. Those eligible must meet these qualifications: Must be a South African citizen; over the age of 21; married or living with a partner OR single with dependants; earn less than R3,500 ($295 U.S.) per household per month. The problem is that it can take years before your home is built. I know some people that have been waiting 15-20 years.

This brings us to June 2017. Maria got a call from family members telling her that her cousin had been murdered. She was stabbed in front of her home, in front of her children. She was an alcoholic and apparently got into an altercation with another woman, leading to her death. Six children were now orphaned. Their mother was dead and their alcoholic father had been murdered (stabbed) a year earlier. It is so hard to imagine what these children went through in that household.

Maria, who didn’t really even know the children, was begged by relatives to take them in. If Maria did not take them, they would be separated and put into foster care. She did what came naturally. She prayed.

Maria felt God tugging on her heart. She must give these orphans a chance. So off she and Freddy went to pick up 6 more children to join their family.

unnamed — The youngest sisters recently orphaned.

Maria’s two oldest daughters had already moved away. One lives in Capetown and one lives in Johannesburg. However, they each have one child a 4-year old girl and a 2-year old boy that live with Maria and Freddy.

If you are trying to keep a head count, here it is… In the household resides: Freddy, Maria, 4 of their children (3 in high school and a 25-year old who just had a baby), 3 grandchildren and 6 of her cousin’s children. A total of 15 people. 4 bedrooms. 1 bathroom. Yes, 1 bathroom. Things are a little crowded, to say the least.

Maria and her newest grandson, Favian.

Maria’s grandson, Davian.

Not only that, the financial struggle is very real. Freddy has a maintenance job (actually in the neighborhood where we rent a house). He works hard all week long and then pastors a church in his community on Sundays. I don’t know Freddy’s salary, but it would be typical for him to make around $17 U.S. per day. He is the only bread-winner in the home.

Praise God my friends Penny and Ella (Emzini Tours), who I mentioned in the blog posts “Unprotected-Part 1” and “Unprotected – Part 2”, have partnered with Freddy and Maria to help provide for the orphans. They pay for school uniforms, transport to school, school fees and some food expenses. It is a necessary blessing for the family.

To help Maria and Freddy with space, Kurt and our friend Don have been teaching a group of 8 guys basic carpentry skills. These boys did not complete high school, some cannot read. This was an opportunity to teach them some basic skills to hopefully make them a little bit more employable. Their final project was to build a 12 X 12 sleeping room onto Freddy and Maria’s home. This gives the family space to move 4 -6 of the children into a room of bunk beds.

unnamed-28 — The finished sleeping room.

The project was amazing. Not only did it give Maria’s family more sleeping space, it was such an exciting accomplishment for the young boys in the class.

Freddy and Maria are Christians. Maria praises our Savior all day long. It gives me such joy to visit and see her love for our Lord. Together this couple teaches their children kindness, compassion, love, grace and mercy. They instill in them the importance of an education. Maria told me that in her house, nobody is allowed to drop out of school. They are raising these children to be good productive members of society.

Because Freddy and Maria opened their hearts and their home, six children have a new lease on life. I am thankful that they obeyed God’s call on their lives. Well done good and faithful servants! ~Tracy Cooper

God-size Dreams

March 8, 2018March 27, 2019https://gingersnaps.wordpress.com2 Comments

“God would not have put a dream in your heart if he hadn’t already given you everything you need to fulfill it.”~ Joel Osteen

I must admit, often I feel like I am living in the book, “The Help”, when I am in South Africa. IF employed, most black african women and coloured women are employed in some capacity of the service industry… Often as domestic workers (or as we would call cleaning ladies/house keepers).

It hits me in the face as I leave our “gated neighborhood” in the morning and see lots of women of color getting out of the taxis on the other side of the gate. (When I talk about taxis, these are 15-passenger vans that travel to and from the township to town. They generally cost riders about $1-$2 per trip). The women come by the dozens from the township, as there are about 600 homes in this neighborhood. And many employ domestic help.

The ladies show their credentials at the gate, sign in and then begin their walk to the home where they are employed. It is a strange 1960-ish site.

unnamed-14 — Domestic workers walking to the home of their employers in the morning.

These women are all domestic workers. A job coveted by the many that are unemployed. A job that pays about $12 per day. That was not a typo. $12 per day, not $12 per hour.

At the end of the day, the taxis do not return to the entrance gate of our neighborhood for pick up. Instead, the women must walk 1-2+ miles to the “Taxi rank” in town to get a ride back to the township. That is just the women in this neighborhood. It all depends on where someone works as to how far their trek to the taxi rank may be at the end of the day. Rain or shine. Hot or cold.

I’ve watched this for years now. It just doesn’t get any more acceptable to me. And although most of these women are grateful for the job, it doesn’t make it any less oppressive.

This brings me to my friend Thokozile (Thoko). A black South African Zulu woman I had the privilege of meeting last year. And a domestic worker in our neighborhood.

Thoko is a faithful Christian woman raising two sons on her own. She is an amazing mom to her boys and has taught them to be polite, to do well in school and be grateful for what they have. Several years ago, when Thoko moved to Knysna, she knew she needed to have a stable place for the boys to grow up. She saved a little bit of money each payday to be able to purchase her own small home in the Concordia Township. Since then, she has saved diligently and added on to her home, making it comfortable for she and the boys. This was/is a project that takes years. Instead of putting herself in debt, Thoko hires someone to do what they can as she has the money to pay for it. The total project is not complete, but it is really coming along. She has been doing this on a salary of $16 per day.

I have never heard a mean word come from Thoko’s mouth. Not a complaint. She is always smiling, encouraging, and inspirational. She loves the Lord and she loves her family. She is joyful. She is smart. She is sweet. I can go on and on about Thoko. She is my friend and I have great respect for her.

The reason I met Thoko was because our passion for working with girls in the township intersected last year. I launched a program for girls in 2016 called Girls Talk (Please read the previous post “Girls Talk”). At that time, I had three women agree to work as a team and lead the group of girls on Saturdays. It was a great experience for both the ladies and the girls; however the leadership team was burned out by the end of the year.

unnamed-19 — Thoko wearing her credentials while walking her employer’s dog.

As I got ready to fire up the 2017 Girls Talk group, I was without a leader. Some good friends of mine knew Thoko and suggested I contact her. She agreed to come to the information meeting and volunteered right there on the spot to be the 2017 leader. This was an answer to prayer. As I mentioned earlier, Thoko does not have daughters. She works full-time as a domestic worker and is raising two boys on her own. None of that could stop her passion to work with young girls.

Thoko and I met and planned a loose agenda for the year. And after I left to go back to the U.S.A., she faithfully met with the girls every Saturday afternoon. She led them in prayer, discussions, games and community service projects. She listened intently as the girls talked about things they would never discuss at home. And she intervened when she found out a male teacher was touching some of the girls inappropriately at school. She loved and mentored the girls well.

Thoko helping the girls with an art lesson.

Thoko (rt) helping the girls make “Dignity” packets.

When I returned and met with Thoko in January, I was prepared to hear her say that although it was a great year, she is burned out. But no. Thoko is ready to volunteer again for 2018.

I have always had such big dreams for Girls Talk. God size dreams. Dreams that don’t match up with the resources I have available. And I always believed if I wanted this program to grow, I would need to figure out how to pay a leader.

This is where our AWESOME GOD shows up big! As I mentioned in the previous post “Girls Talk”, YFC (Youth for Christ) has agreed to incorporate Girls Talk into their ministry programs. They believe it is such an important program that a full-time person should be running it.

So what does that mean for Thokozile? After meeting with her, the YFC immediately offered her the position! A full-time professional position. A career. A passion and dream fulfilled.

Like me, Thoko has God-size dreams. This was one of them. A chance to grow spiritually, intellectually and professionally. She excitedly seized the opportunity and accepted the position.

When we left the YFC, she wanted me to drop her off in town instead of driving her home. Her boys were just getting out of school, so she wanted to meet them at the taxi rank and ride home with them. She couldn’t wait to share the exciting news. As she got out of the car, she stood up tall, smiled and turned to me and said “Today I will walk down the street with my head held high.” I smiled through tears. I knew what she meant.

She will no longer be a “Servant”, but instead a “Servant Leader”.

Praise be to God for this awesome lady and this amazing opportunity! ~ Tracy Cooper

Sidenote… Because YFC is an NGO with a limited budget, employees need to raise most of their own support. Thoko will begin working on March 19, 2018 and her salary will be set at $385 U.S. per month. Yes, per month. If you feel called to help support Thoko’s salary monthly or with a one time gift, please click on the attached link and type “Thoko” in the comments. All donations are tax deductible and will go directly to cover her monthly salary.

https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000WKZkVEAX

Girls Talk

March 4, 2018March 27, 2019https://gingersnaps.wordpress.com3 Comments

“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” – Maya Angelou

Girl Scouts prepares girls to empower themselves and promotes compassion, courage, confidence, character, leadership, entrepreneurship and active citizenship. Why do I know this? Not only was I a Girl Scout growing up, I was a Girl Scout Leader for 12 years. Yes, you read that right. 12 years. Funny thing… all those years, I thought I was preparing girls for their future. Little did I know, the girls were preparing me for mine.

In the spring of 2015, I was truly struggling with whether or not I would return with the mission team to South Africa in January 2016. I love Knysna, South Africa. I had already been there twice. I have friends there. So why wouldn’t I go? Well, quite frankly, I was not feeling called to go along to work on a construction project. Am I being selfish? I know, I know … Sometimes we all need to do things we don’t want to do. But this was different. I REALLY didn’t want to go. I was prepared to have Kurt go without me.

Then God spoke to my heart. There is a reason I was a Girl Scout Leader all those years. It is time to share those types of experiences with the young girls in Knysna. Wow. That was it. I need to start some type of program for girls! The passion and desire to return to Knysna came flooding back.

I spent the next few months researching Girl Scouts/Girl Guides in South Africa. I hit nothing but roadblocks. I researched other programs, but I kept hitting roadblocks. I finally realized I just needed to be there in person to get things figured out.

Once I returned, I met with my friend Ella (I introduced her in “The Unprotected – Part 2”). She too agreed that there was a great need for a program for girls in the township. Knowing that leadership would need to come from within, I had Ella round up a group of women to hear what I was proposing. I explained how I want girls to learn how to empower themselves. To have compassion, courage, confidence, character, leadership, entrepreneurship and active citizenship (Sound like Girl Scouts?). And most of all, I want them to become the women God has created them to be. Three women stepped up, agreeing to be the leadership team. So with a name, short agenda and a mission statement, we started.

The Girls Talk Mission Statement reads as follows:

Girls Talk provides programs to girls to help enhance their lives through educational, spiritual and entertaining subjects. Our goal is to help girls develop self confidence, life skills and career readiness as they grow to be the women God intends them to be.

Although we have had to tweak the focus of the group over the last two years, the mission statement has remained the same.

Year one was a true learning experience. Because of the need for such a program, 22 girls ages 11 – 21 showed up on the first day. Not wanting to turn anyone away, we allowed them all to join. Each Saturday following, 15 – 20 girls showed up. The leaders began to feel the difficulty of planning for such a variety of ages. It was hard to have discussions and activities that were appropriate for everyone.

So year two, January 2017, we opened Girls Talk to only Grade 7 girls. This age group was chosen, because Grade 7 is the last year of primary school. High school starts in Grade 8. It is our chance to catch these girls and instill in them self confidence and healthy life choices before they begin High School.

With the original leadership team burned out and no new leader in place for 2017, I continued moving forward. I met with the principal of the township primary school, who allowed me to send a flyer home with the Grade 7 girls. I invited them and their moms to an information meeting. Ten girls showed up, most with their moms. Also in attendance was a woman named Thokozile. I had not met her before. She has two sons, but was curious to hear about the group. She had a passion to work with girls, but did not know how to get a group started. After I explained the group to the moms and girls, all 10 girls committed to joining. Thoko loved the plan and volunteered to lead. And so it was, 2017 Girls Talk was set in motion!

Thoko and I met and planned an agenda for the year. And although she had a full-time job during the week, she faithfully met with the girls every Saturday afternoon.

The girls engaged in prayer, discussions, games and community service projects. They learned to cook, paint, bead, and screen print. They made cards and delivered them to people in the hospital at Easter. (This is not as easy as it sounds, as arrangements have to be made to hire a taxi to take the girls to town and back). They put together “Dignity packets” made up of sanitary pads for girls in their school. Many girls miss school monthly, as they cannot afford to purchase the necessary products.

unnamed-10 — Girls putting together “Dignity Packets”

The girls learned new things. Most had never participated in “community service” before. They loved it. And Thoko continued to build character with the girls through various discussions, games and activities.

Thoko helping the girls with an art lesson.

Beading

When I returned a couple of months ago (Jan. 2018), I met with Thoko to “debrief”. She loved volunteering with the girls so much, that she agreed to do it again this year.

Perfect. Just as I hoped. So I thought.

Something was still pressing on my heart to grow the program. I felt we needed to keep last year’s girls who are now Grade 8 and start a new Grade 7 group. This would give the girls the support they need their first year in High School now too. I quickly realized that this was not reasonable with our limited resources.

After much prayer, I met with the Director at Knysna Youth for Christ (YFC). I proposed that they take on Girls Talk as one of their ministry programs. And they agreed! This means we can reach Grade 7 and Grade 8 girls with much more programming. We will be able to reach girls in both the Xhosa and the coloured areas. This is my heart’s desire coming to fruition! (Please read my next blog as I explain what this means for Thokozile- God-size dreams).

I can’t explain in words the excitement I feel. The privilege to obey a calling from God and step back and watch it flourish! ~ Tracy Cooper

Sidenote… Because YFC is an NGO with a limited budget, all ministry programs need to raise the funds to support their ministry. If you feel called to help in the funding of Girls Talk, please click on the link below and type Girls Talk in the comments. All donations are tax deductible and will go directly to the support of this incredible program.

https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000WKZkVEAX

The “Unprotected” – Part 2

February 26, 2018March 27, 2019https://gingersnaps.wordpress.com3 Comments

“Every child deserves a champion — An adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” – Rita Pierson

In my earlier blog post, “The Unprotected”- Part 1, I introduced you to four of the children living in the Lukhanyiso Safe House with Mamma Ella. Now, I will tell you how the Safe House came to be, and introduce you to a few more of Ella’s precious children.

In isiXhosa, the word Lukhanyiso means “The Light”. Ella decided to call the Safe House Lukhanyiso to bring Light to the brokenhearted.

I met Ella in 2014 on my first trip to Knysna. Two of the things I love about her is her passion to help people and her passion to share Jesus. She is ALWAYS on the go looking for people in her community to help and share the Good News.

Ella Mapurisa (Mamma Ella) grew up in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. When she was 6-years old, her parents divorced and her mother found employment on a farm, moving Ella out to a very rural area. In order to get an education, Ella had to walk over 6 miles to school every day. She did this with no shoes for several years and vividly remembers getting her first pair of shoes at 12-years old!

Because her mother was an alcoholic, she was not always able to function at her job. Ella soon had to step in and cover for her mom. At just 9-years old, she was trying to go to school and complete her mother’s chores on the farm. She knew that if she didn’t, the two of them would be kicked off of the farm and left homeless. This was a lot for such a young girl to carry.

With no guidance and no support, she dropped out of school at the age of 16. It had become too much. Too far to walk. Too much work to be done on the farm. And no money to buy her books.

In addition to the pressure, her living/work conditions became volatile. It was not safe for a Xhosa girl to be working on a farm… a farm owned by a white Afrikaans farmer… during the Apartheid era. Ella was abused. Unprotected. Trapped. No real education. No money. No connection to people off of the farm. No hope.

Until… At the age of 22, a missionary came to the farm and told her about the love of God. She did not believe there could be such a love. She had never experienced true love from anybody before. She desperately wanted to be loved. But she feared if she accepted this Jesus, she would only prove the missionary wrong. There could not be such a love. Could there? In the days to follow, she accepted Jesus Christ and her life was forever changed. The missionary took her home with seven other children and helped to cultivate a strong faith in her. He put her back in school at the age of 22-years and finally at 25-years old, Ella matriculated from High School. It was then that she moved to Knysna to start her new life. A life full of love, hope and faith.

There is a lot more to Ella’s story, and the impact of it all shaped who Ella is today. She knew that “when” not “if” she was able, she would pay it forward. She would help women and children living in fear and danger. And she would share her Jesus with everyone! Her strong Christian faith and her positive attitude kept her moving forward toward her goal.

Now, self-employed and co-owner of Emzini Tour Company (Township Tours) she knew it was time to help. Time to build a safe house, a refuge, where women and children can go when they are in danger. The tours are designed to show a positive side of the townships, and create an income to support the Safe House.

Ella in traditional Xhosa dress.

Ella

Currently, Ella has 14 children living in her home and has agreed to financially support 12 others. We met 4 of these children in an earlier blog. Today I would like to introduce you to a couple more…

Siblings: Imange and Takunda

Imange is now 10 years old, but came to live with Ella when she was just 5. She is a very gentle and sweet young lady. At the age of 5 years, Imange and her 2-year old brother Takunda were left at home alone when their parents decided to just walk away. Walk away from their two young children! We are not sure how long they were alone, but when the children were found, Imange was actually cooking, feeding and caring for her younger brother. Image was 5-years old! Even so young, Imange showed such great love for her little brother, and still does today.

Imange

Takunda, a soft-hearted little chatter box, is 7-years old. He really never knew his parents since he was only two when they walked out. His birth name is Lithala, but his grandmother was calling him Madala (which means “old man”). Ella’s husband said, “We can’t have a child being called Madala. I am going to call him Takunda” (Takunda is a Shona word meaning Victory!).

Takunda today.

A younger Takunda.

These two siblings are no longer living in the Safe House. Unfortunately their grandmother insists they live with her so that she can receive government money.

The shack that Imange and Takunda live in with their grandmother.

Knowing that the children would not be cared for properly, Ella continues to pay for all of their schooling, clothes, transport to school, after care, food and other needs that arise. Although they are not under her roof, they are still part of Ella’s family!

Meet Abigail –

Abigail, a complicated 14-year old, comes from a very rough background full of drugs, alcohol and uneducated family members . She is the only person in her family to ever attend school; and that was not on a consistent basis. There was no food and no supervision in her household. As a very young girl, she found her way to Ella’s looking for food. She continued to visit for food and started to trust Ella. Soon Ella learned that at 6-years old Abigail was sexually molested. It was then that Ella moved Abigail in with her.

The trauma this young girl survived is devastating. She has a lot to work through and is highly needy for attention. She is healing. Slowly. Abigail now attends a private school in town where she found she has a true talent in Hockey.

Please enjoy this Vlog of Ella on one of her township tours:

If you feel called to sponsor one of Ella’s children on a monthly basis, or make a one-time donation, please click on the link below and follow the steps. In the comments, type Lukhanyiso Safe House. All donations are tax deductible and will go directly to the care of Ella’s children. ~Tracy Cooper

https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000WKZkVEAX

The Last Chance

February 18, 2018March 27, 2019https://gingersnaps.wordpress.com1 Comment

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men” – Frederick Douglass

As with so many young boys in the township, Siyabonga, a 14-year old teenage boy, has no male role model in his life. No dad to emulate. No dad to wrestle. No dad to understand him. His parents separated when he was only 5 years old, so for most of his life he has lived in a household of women. Four to be exact… his mom, 2 older sisters and a younger niece.

Kurt and I have come to truly love Siya. His infectious smile, and boyish grins are endearing. He is smart, athletic, always kind and polite to us and wants to please. He is family.

Over the last 4 years though, we have watched Siya struggle. Struggle to find his place as a boy/young man in a home and community that offer little to no guidance. Nobody to walk him through ‘guy’ things… puberty, romance, self esteem, peer pressure… Or POWER TOOLS.

unnamed-16 — Kurt teaching Siya how to repair a fence (2015)

This has led Siya to become a follower. Looking to other boys (who too, have no guidance), for “like-mindedness” and acceptance. Never a good scenario. And for Siya, it led him down a path of poor choices. Actions that got him expelled from the township primary school mid-year last year (2017).

You may be wondering why a 14-year old boy is in primary school? Well, actually, Siya just turned 14 in December. So for 2017, he was a 13-year old boy in Grade 5. He missed a couple of years of school while being shuffled back and forth between his parents.

In South Africa, the school year runs from January – December. Grade R – Grade 7 are in the primary school and Grade 8 – Grade 12 are in the high school. Unlike the U.S., the South African government system is set up so that you cannot skip a grade. It does not matter if you are more advanced than the grade you are in… you cannot test up. Every student must complete every grade. So in Siya’s case, since he missed a couple of years, the schools would not even test him to see if he could be placed in a higher grade with peers his age.

Here is Siya’s story…

Up until the age of 5 years, Siya’s father was in his life. He was and still is a police officer in the Eastern Cape (a 3-hour drive from Knysna). A man with a good job, but not a good man to his wife and children. In the past, Siya was witness to his dad’s violence toward his mother and older sister.

A few years after his parents separated, Siya’s mom became very ill. While she was in the hospital, he and his sister Zanele were sent back to live with their dad. Siya was about 10-years old at this time.

Robberg Hike.

Yesterday’s hike with Siya and Dice.

Kurt and Siya (Feb. 2018)

When their mother returned home from the hospital, she was confined to a wheelchair. It was decided that since Siya’s dad was working, he and his girlfriend could better care for the two younger children.

Now out of work and no way to pay rent, Siya’s mom decided to move to Knysna to live in the home of a relative. She took her oldest daughter and her young niece, but left Siyabonga and Zanele behind. This was a mistake.

Once their mother was no longer living in the Eastern Cape keeping tabs on her children, their father moved them out of his home and into the shack of another one of his girlfriends. This woman was not pleased, but obeyed her boyfriend. She allowed them to live under her roof, but she did not care for them. Out of spite, the only food she would give them was usually old and moldy. As if this wasn’t bad enough for Siya and Zanele, things got worse when their dad stopped visiting them and stopped sending money to this woman. She didn’t kick them out, but she refused to feed them anything. At 11-years old, Siya was left to beg for food on the streets and eat out of garbage bins. He and Zanele were starving.

Siya’s older sister got word of this through friends and relatives and saved up money to travel to Port Elizabeth (P.E.). to bring her siblings to Knysna. When she arrived, her father refused to let the kids leave. Not expecting this response, and fearing her father’s violence, she had to come up with a way to sneak them out of town. This is when “Operation Sibling Rescue” hatched. (At least that is what I am calling it!)

She told the kids to pack a few things and go to school like normal. Then she told her father she was going to return to Knysna. This was true, just not the whole truth. She secretly went to their schools, got the kids and their transfer records, got in a taxi, and brought them to Knysna to live with their mom.

This is where I am supposed to say… And they lived happily ever after. But I can’t. As time went on, Siya’s dad stopped contacting him and sending money for child support. The young boy’s behavior started to decline. He started lying and skipping school. He was hurt, lost and broken. He wanted his dad to love him. To want him. To be with him. He begged to go back to P.E. Siya did not remember just how poorly his dad treated him. Or at least he did not want to remember. He just wanted his dad.

And so it was. He moved back to P.E. to live with his dad. Within 6 months, Siya was crying to come back to Knysna. His mother made him finish the year with his dad and then sent his sister back to P.E. to get him. She was shocked at what she found. A “street kid”. Dirty, hungry, unschooled, unsupervised. Really. A street kid. Nobody had been caring for him. A 12-year old boy left all on his own. Inexcusable! Heartbreaking.

She scooped him up and brought him back to Knysna. For months he was not allowed back in school because his father would not send his school transfer papers.

Once he was enrolled, he was put into grade 4 as a 12-year old. This was not a great situation, as he was so much older than many of the other children. But it was how the system works. The following year as a 13-year old in grade 5, Siya got mixed up with some other boys making poor decisions. He was caught with dagga (pot) on the primary school campus… not once, but twice. The second time got him expelled, and he was not allowed to finish Grade 5.

That brings us to where Siya is today. Since he was expelled from the township school last June, he was not in school when the new year started up again in January. And although the township school finally agreed to re-admit him this year, there wasn’t room. He was turned away. Denied an education at the age of 14!

That left 2 options. (1) Let Siya become a young man that will never have anything higher than a Grade 4 education and chance losing him to “The Streets”. Or (2) Search for a private school in town that will take him.

Option 2 was the only option we were willing to take! After visiting a few schools, Kurt and I found a Christian School willing to accept him. This very small school groups children by age instead of grade. Siya is in a class of 14-18 year olds (Instead of a Grade 5 classroom). All of the students work on their own, at their own level. A facilitator/teacher works with them one-on-one. He just completed his first week and seems to be very happy there.

With the generous donation from a couple in the United States, Siya’s monthly tuition and transport to school have been covered.

This is Siya’s last chance.

This young boy, that we have grown to love as family, will have no other chances after this one, when it comes to his education. We are pulling for him. We are praying for him. We are loving on him. With such a short time to impact his life each year, we pray that we can plant seeds that will carry him through until we return again next January.

We pray that he will embrace this opportunity and excel into the young man God has created him to be. ~Tracy Cooper