Celebrating African Motherhood - Amref

the child, but now I have had to involve a social worker so that the child
is removed to a safe place. She also needs treatment for her injuries and
counselling. The networks that have been created by this programme have
made it easier for us to deal with cases like this because we know who to
contact for help. I am glad the children have somebody to turn to and I am
happy that we are making a diff erence because these are our children,
abantwana bentu.”
Voices of Abantwana Benthu (Our Children)
Nquobile Nancy, 14
“After my father died, Mum was unable to provide for me and my four
siblings. We did not have food, even soap. Now I eat at the centre, and Mum
gets food parcels containing mealie meal, beans, oil and sugar.”
Molebegeng Stovovo, 9
“The centre is nice. I come here with my sister. They give us food and then
we play a lot of games. They teach us many things here that we were not
told in school. I have been taught how to keep myself clean.”
Millicent Mahlangu, 13
“My brother and I live with our grandmother. We like to come to the centre
after school because we do a lot of things here, like dancing and singing.
They also help us to do the homework that we have been given in school.”
Dimpo Mahobo, 5
“I like to look at the pictures and jewellery in my memory box, because they
remind me of my mother. When I go to the centre, I like to dance, sing and
act. I want to be a policeman when I grow up so that I can build my own
house.”
Sonke Skasana, 17
“After my Mum died, our grandmother took me and my two brothers
in. My grandmother did not have money to buy us things, but now I
have a school uniform like my classmates, and I even went on a trip
to Johannesburg.”
Phindile Maseko, 13
“My father and mother are both not well. Many times my mother used to
go to my grandmother’s house to ask for food because there was nothing
for us to eat. Now we do not go hungry because we get food parcels. I am
happy because I have school uniform.”
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