Let us introduce you to Nomsa*, one of the unsung heroes of Cape Town that we at The Warehouse are privileged to know and serve. Nomsa is a seventy year-old grandmother, who despite her hardship has risen up and counted the cost of being obedient to God and serving her loved ones. Her first daughter died of HIV/Aids related illness and her grandchildren were left in her care a few years ago. Struggling to deal with her daughter's death, she also had the arduous task of helping her grandchildren cope with their grief. In addition to dealing with this trauma, extra strain was put on her already sparse income as a pensioner.
Then, disaster struck again! Her second eldest daughter who had been living with her boyfriend was involved in a tragic case of domestic violence. Her daughter was locked in a shack that was set alight and she died in the fire before anyone could come to her rescue. Apart from the heartbreak of losing her daughter in such a horrific way, Nomsa now had to care for her daughter's children as well. "Food prices are constantly going up, poverty is getting worse, and there are less jobs today than there were five years ago. People are really struggling. And people who have taken in orphaned children, like Nomsa, are struggling even more," says Erica Greathead, Project Manager of Care for Kids.
When speaking with Nomsa she shared how difficult she found it to even talk about the situation now. It has been a long and hard struggle for her to make ends meet. Overwhelmed by tears, she remembers the times when there was insufficient money to feed and clothe the eight grandchildren left in her care. In absolute desperation she started knocking on the neighbours doors begging for food. The humiliation that she endured as they poked fun at her and the way they used to lock their doors when they heard her footsteps was difficult to comprehend. The children were even chastised by the neigbours. The 'ubuntu' (caring for one's neighbours and community) seemed in short supply as they struggled to eke out a living on a daily basis.
Nomsa tried to get help from the local Social Development Offices, but was met with one frustration after the other as she failed to produce the necessary documentation. At this time members of the Orphan Action Team from the church that we partner with, were assessing households that could benefit from the Care for Kids relief program. Nomsa happened to be one of those households and in her own words, "it was like God had sent an angel to me". Since then, her life had taken on a whole new direction and meaning.
The Warehouse's relief programme through the church enabled her to receive monthly food packs and vouchers for each child, as well as a monthly hygiene pack. From her meagre income she saved for a television, which has helped to keep the children entertained, especially as it gets colder and wetter outside during the winter months. Nomsa was one of the recipients of a nested bunk bed system that has meant the children no longer have to sleep on the floor on old blankets. "I praise God for using people to help me and for my 'daughter' (the Orphan Action Team volunteer) who came into my life," she said. Nomsa was also assisted by the church volunteer and Care for Kids social worker to access Foster Care Grants for the children. She says that she is so thankful for the doors that have opened for her and the children. "I see these children as my own children now, not just my grandchildren. And I see them as a gift from God, not a burden."
Nomsa is just one of the many 'grannies' lives who are touched through the Care for Kids programme and the local church community in which it operates. The practical relief that is provided on a monthly basis, is literally that - a great relief to the carers of orphaned children in our province. "Watching the Love Packs going out from The Warehouse floor literally brings tears to my eyes each month," says one of the team, "I see the love of Jesus in those food and hygiene packs, reaching out to families in distress and making life a little easier for those who live in extreme poverty who have opened their homes to orphaned children."
*Nomsa - not her real name.
If you'd like to know more about Care for Kids click here.
Off the shelves
- Did you know that groups of various sizes can come and give time at The Warehouse. If you'd like to arrange this please email Caroline, our Gleaning Coordinator.
- The Training Course in Christian Social Transformation equips people to engage in community transformation according to Biblical community development principles. The next course will run from August 3 - 7 and October 5-9. Click here for more information.
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