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Meet some of the real people whose lives have been touched by your kindness
Childcare
Nancy came to our Joseph Baynes Home for Children in Pietermaritzburg when she was just six years old. Nurtured and cared for into adulthood, Nancy is now Captain Nancy Ndlovu, married to a Salvation Army Officer, and caring for others.
This is how your gifts work, often taking people’s lives full circle.
Noeleen’s* horror began when she and her young brother were left in the care of an ‘aunty’ whilst their mother worked night shift. It was in this place of supposed safe-keeping that Noeleen was brutally raped by an unknown ‘uncle’ who then stabbed her multiple times spilling her intestines onto the floor. Doctors worked for hours to save her life.
Through all her trauma, Noeleen stays positive with this hope for her future:
“I wish I could change everything for everybody. My dream is to be an occupational therapist, to help people, to bring them hope and happiness.”
Beth Rogelim
A refuge for men
Mark* is a resident at Beth Rogelim. He suffered a mental breakdown early in his working life and spent several years in hospital. Afterwards he was unable to work.
Mark is happiest when he’s ‘at home’, and when you ask if he has family, he’ll tell you, “My family is The Salvation Army Beth Rogelim.”
Patrick* tells his story: “Finishing my military service I joined Port Elizabeth E.P. Command, as a chef in the kitchen.
“After my father committed suicide on Fathers’ Day, my life started to spiral out of control. Drinking was my biggest problem, until I committed to making The Salvation Army my spiritual home, and later spent three months at Hesketh King.
“I’ve now been clean and sober for 13 years. I want to thank each and every person who has helped and guided me on my journey to recovery.”
Fighting to combat human trafficking
Lindi* and Goodness* had both been unwittingly lured and trapped into prostitution by someone they knew well and trusted with the offer of a weekend away.
Young, vulnerable, without parental guidance, and naïve in the ways of the world they were prime targets.
The first move was to get the girls addicted to crack cocaine known as ‘rock’ – a cheap derivative of cocaine, which provides an instant, intense and euphoric experience. Once hooked, they had to work for more of the substance by bringing in customers for sex.
The food allowance of R30/ day was only paid if they brought in enough ‘business’. And if they didn’t, punishment was brutal.
With the help of Salvation Army workers who walk the streets at night offering rescue, Lindi and Goodness managed to escape and come to Beth Shan to get their lives back.
Our help line – 08000 73728 –
is one which everyone should know about.
*Names have been changed to protect privacy.
