Photo: janeb13/pixabay.com
His large body and strong hands make him look much older than the 17-year-old schoolboy he actually is. Wikus*’s shy smile and crooked fringe make one like him immediately. Nothing in his demeanor reveals anything about the difficult path he has walked to get here.
His parents had very little and sometimes it was really hard. Yet they were always able to make a plan. However, everything changed the day his father was already at home when Wikus came home from school. He still remembers the strange silence in the house. His mother, who always set the mood in the house, was visibly tense. His father sat upside down at the kitchen table, looked up, greeted softly and then broke the news. “We’re going to have to move Wikus, we’re going to have to stay with grandma Marie for the time being.” His father was paid off at work, he was one of 12 workers at the factory where he had worked faithfully for so many years. Wikus was also silent, he couldn’t find the right words to say. Still, he wondered about his school, his sport, his friends, Miss Ronel and also Bianca, whom he loves so much. Grandma Marie hardly recognizes them. She asks who he is every time. He misses how she was before she started getting sick and can’t remember anything anymore except the things far from her past. And how will all three of them and their things fit into her small apartment? He picked up his bag, turned around and walked to the room. He remembers how he prayed, “You will provide again as always, won’t you Lord?”
Although his mother earned a very small salary and could only plug few holes, she always made plans so that her child could get the best. Wikus remembers how she called on aunt Joey, center manager of Ons Plek Post-School Center, for advice and help. This is the after-school center where he enjoyed lunch and could do homework every afternoon in a safe environment.
Everyone knew that a bright future awaited Wikus and that grandma Marie was not an option. Together they continued to sit and do sums. With a contribution from his mother’s side as well as a contribution from the Helping Hand Region, they applied to the Empower a Child Fund for the outstanding amount. In this way he could stay at the school and be placed in the residence.
Photo:
deltaworks/pixabay.com
Wikus is writing matric this year, his residence fees are up to date and he is safe and cared for. He still misses the after-school center but makes sure he goes there every holiday. As time goes on, things also start to look better for his parents. His father has a lot of temporary work and he is hopeful that he will get a full-time job again. Joey also helped him with his Sol-tech application. He is excited and grateful for his way here and for what still awaits him, and grateful to the Lord who provided through resources such as Helping Hand which empowered a child like him!
This story could have had a different ending if the community had not stood together and provided funds to the Empower a Child project. Without the community, Helping Hand would not be able to step in and help. This is a special example of a community that comes together to help each other.
Thanks again to every person who continues to contribute to the Empower a Child Fund. If you are reading this article today, and you also want and can help, please visit www.bemagtignkind.co.za. You can make a difference today, a difference that will last a lifetime.
To become part of the Helping Hand family visit www.sluitaan.co.za.
*Wikus is a pseudonym that has been used.
Suzette Oosthuizen is the head of centers and national branches at Solidarity Helping Hand.
