Change the Destiny of a nation!

Worldwide women in rural areas are both mother and father to their children. The current child grants intended to alleviate poverty is being used by an ill educated population as an opportunity to make money. In some instances women have had up to 7 children, 1 every 11 months. The children are being looked after by the grandparents in the rural areas, the mothers living in a squatter camp and inevitably they end up dying of AIDs, leaving 6 or 7 orphans behind.

Three years ago, a child of 18 named Abigail had a child of her own. His name was Lucky. They live in Kwa Mahlanga a rural area outside of Groblersdal. At the age of 3 months Lucky got sick with vomiting and diarrhoea. Abigail took him to the local clinic where she was told that they had no medicine for babies and she must go away. The following morning this frantic young girl ran around begging from her neighbours to borrow sufficient money to come to here mother in Johannesburg. She was sitting at the bus terminus in Pretoria waiting for a bus to Johannesburg when someone pointed out to her that her baby was dead!

This story, together with the knowledge of how many women are being exploited, left a burning desire to make a change, to somehow have special “safe havens” to which women could go, a place where medical information such as basic hygiene, contraception and relevant AIDS information can be given. A place from which women could be taught new skills that would enable them to become self sufficient, a place where one could share crèche teaching skills, opening up young minds to new possibilities.

Lack of hope and unemployment destroys a persons dignity.

Many organisations are doing sterling work, however, they do not get to the root cause of so many problems. Rather teach a man to fish and to grow his own food than to give him a crust every day. Work provides people with self respect and dignity.

The dream was given a name - “Beads of Hope”.