At just 19 years old, a young mother from Riverside View is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders\u2014but her determination to build a better future is nothing short of inspiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She is a first-year law student at UNISA, juggling her studies with caring for her two-year-old child and helping at home because her mother is battling cervical cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI chose UNISA so I could study online and still take care of my family,\u201d she said. But the reality is a daily struggle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy home situation is really tough. We’re a family of five, and we only rely on the Sassa grant for my child because I used to receive a grant too, but it was cut off when I turned 18. Now we have to survive on just that one grant,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Life has been harsh for this young mother. \u201cSometimes we go without food and sleep on empty stomachs because there is nothing else we can do. We\u2019re still sleeping on the floor, and my child doesn\u2019t have proper clothes for school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was difficult to think about sending my child to cr\u00e8che when we couldn\u2019t even cover basic needs. The most painful thing is that sometimes we have to use toilet paper as sanitary pads because we cannot afford even that,\u201d she shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before help came, she was losing hope. \u201cI was managing poorly, relying on the little grant we get, but it was never enough,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then came Shika, a caring community member, who made sure her two-year-old child could attend Dakalo ya Pfunzo Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow that my child can attend cr\u00e8che, it’s a huge relief. It means the world to me and my child. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders knowing that my child is safe and learning while I\u2019m out looking for work,\u201d she said, tears welling in her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But her struggles continue. \u201cWe still face many challenges. The little grant goes to food, clothes, and other essentials, and it\u2019s just not enough. It\u2019s hard to think about the future and how I\u2019ll provide for my child\u2019s education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your support can make a huge difference in our lives,\u201d she pleaded.Her story is one of strength, but it also reflects the silent battles many families face in Riverside and Diepsloot every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Itumeleng Joyce Mokone, founder of Dakalo ya Pfunzo Foundation, this is exactly why she opened the cr\u00e8che in 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I moved to Riverside, I saw small children roaming the streets and parents who couldn\u2019t afford preschool. We started with 10 children who didn\u2019t pay anything. Some were orphans, and others had unemployed parents,\u201d Mokone said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three years later, Dakalo ya Pfunzo continues to provide a safe space for children to learn and grow\u2014but the need is overwhelming. \u201cSome parents even end up sending their children back to live with grandparents because they can’t afford preschool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the community and businesses can come together to sponsor school fees, donate resources, or even provide food supplies, we can change lives,\u201d Mokone said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Early education is critical, Mokone emphasizes. \u201cCr\u00e8che isn\u2019t just about keeping kids busy\u2014it\u2019s where they learn social skills, build confidence, and prepare for formal schooling. The earlier they start, the better their chances of success later on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This young mother is fighting hard\u2014studying law, caring for her sick mother, and raising her child with almost no income. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One act of kindness gave her child a chance, but there are many more families waiting for the same opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you can help\u2014whether by sponsoring a child\u2019s school fees, donating food or clothes, or offering any form of support\u2014please reach out to Dakalo ya Pfunzo Foundation. Together, we can give hope, one child at a time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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