Help for a promising young woman

Mavis Makope

 With the help of donations raised by Sue Heywood in the USA, and the efforts of Carryou Ministry, a promising young woman should be able to look forward to a life filled with potential and achievement.
 "I was born in Zimbabwe but both my parents died before I was 12," says Mavis Makope. "My sister took care of me but, when political upheavals caused the schools in our area to shut and conditions became very bad, we slipped into South Africa and lived as illegal immigrants.
 "For two years we lived in Mpumalanga and I did not go to school. When I moved to Randfontein I resumed my schooling but was a long way behind the other kids. But I worked very hard, caught up and matriculated.
 "There is no doubt, the incident that changed the course of my life took place on a Monday afternoon, when my best friend persuaded me to accompany her to a meeting run by Carryou Ministry," she says.
 "They took me under their wing and even arranged financial support so I could further my studies."

Not a legal resident

 But Mavis was still not a legal resident in South Africa, despite Carryou's efforts to get her issued with the relevant documentation. In addition, recent changes to the law require that certain applications for permanent residency be done from outside the country.
 "It is a complicated and expensive process," says Carryou Ministry General Manger, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso, "but we see promise in Mavis and are determined to help her. We had to find a way to get her back to Zimbabwe where she could start the process of getting police clearances, having medical examinations and gathering all the relevant documentation needed to make the application in Harare.
 "With the help of Sue and her donors we were able to raise the approximately R7000 needed to get her back to Zimbabwe and cover the other costs," he says. "I am not sure how long the entire process will take but it is well underway and we are looking forward to her return so she can resume her education plans."

Another Carryou Ministry Success Story

 Mavis Makope (20) is a Carryou Ministry success story.
 Against seemingly insurmountable odds, she is successfully studying for a diploma in Human Resources at the Crane International Academy in Mpumalanga. This was made possible by support from Carryou Ministry and other donors.
 Her story starts in Zimbabwe where, when she was only two months-old, her father died leaving her and her sister to be raised by a single mother.
 "In 2004 my mother died and two years later my sister and I came to South Africa as illegal immigrants," Mavis says. "Conditions in Zimbabwe were terrible. Political instability saw schools closed and life was very tough.
 "I was 12 when we got to South Africa and for two years we lived in Nelspruit and I did not attend school. Then an aunt suggested I come to Randfontein and, in 2009, I started school there."

Ground to make up

 Makope had a lot of ground to make up but she put her head down and caught up. She matriculated with good results last year.
 "While at school a friend introduced me to Carryou and they started the process of getting my documentation sorted out, so I could stay in the country legally," she says, "and gradually I became involved in the organisation's activities. I became part of a study group and involved with the Childcare Forum.
 "After school I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do but God works in wonderful ways and I was offered the opportunity and financial support to study further. It is an 18-month diploma course and I will finish next year.
 "Then I hope to find work as a Human Resources manager in a large corporation or maybe even work for Carryou," Mavis says.