A twelve-year-old boy from Mfuleni Township, named Mandla, is currently excelling in his schoolwork. He is a well behaved child and is a good example for his classmates. However this time last year, this was not the case.
At the beginning of 2012, he voluntarily joined the YDP (Youth Development Programme) Life Skills class at Afrika Tikkun. Life Skills
teacher- Luzuko (a child and youth care worker from Afrika Tikkun)- noticed that he always arrived to class looking dirty and scruffy,
wearing an old uniform and broken shoes. Besides this fact, another concern was noticed, that he was causing much disturbance by
behaving badly and disobeying the rules.
One Monday in Life Skills, Luzuko asked the students to tell the class what they did on the weekend. Mandla explained that he went around Mfuleni collecting empty glass bottles in order to hand them in for some change. Finding this rather strange for an 11-year-old boy to do on his weekend, Luzuko looked further into the life of Mandla, encouraging a home visit by an Afrika Tikkun social worker.
When visiting Mandla’s house, the social worker discovered that he was living with his mother and stepfather who were both drug addicts. Their situation was horrendous and it became clear that every cent of the household’s money was spent on supporting their drug habit. Mandla witnessed his mother and stepfather do things an 11-year-old boy should never ever have to witness. It was then that it became clear as to why Mandla was behaving and looking the way he did.
With the help of a multi-disciplinary team- consisting of an Afrika Tikkun social worker, Mandla’s teacher and Luzuko- Mandla was temporarily moved to Mfuleni’s ‘Place of Safety’ for children where he received the care and attention he needed. Afrika Tikkun then found a foster family for Mandla to move in with.
Although this was extremely tough for Mandla and he still faces hardships today his life has changed for the better and this is evident in his current behaviour. Until his mother is well enough to take care of him, this is now his new family and safe haven.
Thanks to his trusting open relationship with Life Skills teacher Luzuko, Afrika Tikkun could reach into this little boy’s life and rescue
him from his situation.
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