Masego, a trained lay-counsellor, noticed that Nomsa, a 16-year-old girl, crying at church one morning. She took her aside and asked her what was bothering her. Nomsa disclosed that her father had recently passed away and her mother was critically ill at home.  On further enquiry, Masego discovered that Nomsa was the eldest of four siblings and was primarily responsible for taking care of her family.

 

Masego engaged the principal psychologist at Community-based Prevention & Empowerment Strategies – SA.  The two arranged for a home visit and found very inadequate circumstances – mom was bed-ridden, the house was very unkempt and there was a stench of poverty and sadness in the house.  They arranged for social workers to assist this family with grants and food support.  Nomsa continued to receive counselling and emotional support form Community-based Prevention & Empowerment Strategies – SA. The church chipped in and arranged for food supply, clothes and general care of this family.  The maternal grandmother who lived in the homelands was notified and she came to look after her daughter and grandchildren.

 

Nomsa’s mother then passed away and subsequently, about 4 months later the grandmother passed away.  An aunt who was also in the homelands came to look after this family. The story of this family was featured in the Beeld newspaper. The workers at Beeld Newspaper collected food and clothing items for the family. They also arranged for a R20 000 bursary from ABSA for the schooling needs of the three younger siblings. Masego continues to visit this family on a regular basis to check up on their needs.