Class of 2016

As proud as Punch! Carryou Ministries founder, Sr. Pam Jamison and General Manager, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso with Samuel Masebe (23) who last year, with the help of Carryou, successfully completed the first year of his degree at Wits University.

 At Carryou Ministries we are committed to uplifting and helping children become the best they can be. It is our goal to help kids realise their full potential and grow up to lead successful lives.
 Every day, at our Drop-in Centres in Toekomsrus and Elandsvlei, youngsters are given a healthy cooked meal, and trained Carryou Ministries staff members are available to help kids with homework, and other problems that may arise at school.
 So it was with great joy that we met with some of the youngsters who wrote and passed their matric exams last year. The purpose of the meeting was to see what the kids planned to do with their lives, and how Carryou could further help them, if possible.

Degrees

 Over the years, mostly with the help of financial aid from generous US sponsors, co-ordinated by Sue Heywood, some youngsters have successfully completed university degrees and are now productive members of society and giving back to the community.
 "We are extremely grateful to our donors and proud of the youngsters who grasped the opportunities given them," says Carryou General Manager, Rev. Lawrence Mabaso.
 Lawrence took time to brief the matriculants on the power of vision and planning, in order to become successful.
 "You must first have a firm vision what you want to do in life, and how you can serve people," he said. "Then formulate a plan of exactly what steps you need to take, and set time-related goals to achieve those steps.
 "You must know what is required, and map out exactly what must be done to get there," he told the matriculants. "Carryou will do what we can to help you, but in the end it is your life, your responsibility, and you will have to knuckle down and put in effort."

Example

 He pointed to Samuel Masebe (23), a young man who grew up in a shack in Elandsvlei, who last year successfully completed the first year of his degree at Wits University.
 "He is an example to all of us," said Lawrence.
 Samuel paid tribute to the help he got from Carryou.
 "I couldn't have achieved what I have without them," he says. "They kept encouraging me and provided financial assistance while I waited for a bursary to be approved. When the bursary came through there was still a shortfall,v and Carryou's American donors stepped up and helped.
 "I can hardly describe how grateful I am!"
 The class of 2016 has high hopes and lofty goals. They want to eventually become medical technologists, public administrators, Correctional Services officials and nurses.

Rev. Mabaso addresses successful matriculants and staff members on the importance of vision and setting goals.

13 years of exceptional service to the people of Toekies

Activities for the little ones.

 It's been 13 years and the Toekomsrus Drop-in Centre has continued to go from strength to strength.
 The facility has provided quality services to orphaned and vulnerable children, and improved the lives of countless people in the communities it serves.
 In the last financial year a number of milestones were reached, including the training of three employees as Victim Empowerment Coordinators who will assist in cases involving victimization.
 A total of 842 people received support and assistance from the Toekomsrus Drop-in Centre. Of these 416 were children.
 458 people were provided with a healthy, hot, cooked meal every day. Ten HIV/AIDS Awareness and door-to-door programmes saw 789 people reached and 173 households received services provided by the Drop-in Centre.

Challenges

 "While we have made great strides, achieved much, and look forward to ever greater things in the years to come, there are a number of challenges we face," says Programme Manager, Kenneth Malepe.
 "There is a great need for more office equipment. In addition there is a shortage of items such as children's chairs, tables and kitchen equipment."

School holiday fun!

 It may be school holidays but the team at Carryou Ministries is busier than ever with activities to keep the kids, occupied, stimulated and off the streets.
 We took a peek with our camera.

Meet our people: Mavis Rasebetshela

Mavis Rasebetshela

 Mavis Rasebetshela (34) is a Child and Youth Care Worker at Carryou Ministries' Toekomsrus Drop-in Centre.
 She first had contact with Carryou when the FIFA World Cup was played in South Africa in 2010.
 "A friend saw I wasn't doing anything at the time and invited me to go with her to Carryou," she says. "I instantly fell in love with the children and started volunteering.
 "Then I became part of the Extended Public Works Programme, where I learned computer skills, wrote reports and did whatever was needed."

Soweto

 Mavis grew up in Soweto with her mother and four sisters, and went to school in Orlando. In 2006 her sister bought a house in Randfontein and she moved here.
 "When I heard about the opportunity to be trained as a Child and Youth Care Worker, I grabbed it with both hands," says Mavis. "I started training in 2014 and qualified two years later.
 "I love being able to make a difference in the community, and whenever I am able to help a child I sleep soundly at night."
 Mavis has a son who lives in Soweto and on weekends she tries to spend as much time as possible with him.
 "I try to teach him the things I learn at work," she says.
 She also enjoys reading, especially biographies.
 "I love what I do and plan to study further in this field," she says.

Meet our people: Chane' Williams

Chane' Williams

 Chane' Williams (25) is a Child and Youth Care Worker at Carryou Ministry's Toekomsrus Drop-in Centre.
 Like so many others in the community, her first contact with Carryou came about when, as a child, she went to the centre every day for a hot meal and to get help with her homework.
 "I grew up in Toekies but my mother died when I was still at school so my granny raised me," she says. "A friend told me about Carryou and I became one of their orphan beneficiaries and received regular home visits from them. Their help changed my life and I wanted to give something back, so in the holidays I would hang around and do what ever was needed doing. I washed dishes, swept floors and helped in the kitchen.
 "I loved being able to work with the children," says Chane'. "After I completed matric I worked as a Carryou Ministry volunteer. They helped me compile a C.V. and I was selected for the government's Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP). Sometime later I was appointed EPWP Co-ordinator, where I was responsible for preparing reports for the Department of Social Welfare and sourcing training for EPWP workers."

Happy

 In 2012 Chane' was selected to be trained for the Child and Youth Care Workers' programme and after a two year course received her qualification. But she was not prepared to stop there.
 "I was also chosen to be trained as a Safe Park Co-ordinator and to receive instruction in Early Chilhood Development," she says. "The children make me happy. If I can make a child smile I am happy."
 When not working, Chane' spends as much time as possible with her child and is involved in church activities.
 "I would like to study Child Psychology in the future," she says.

Meet our people: Lucas Motshotsho

Lucas Motshotsho

 Twenty nine year-old Lucas Motshotsho is an example of what it is to give back.
 The Carryou Ministry, Child and Youth Care worker grew up as an orphan, and without the help he received from Carryou, he might have fallen through the cracks.
 "I came to the Toekomsrus Drop-in Centre every to get a cooked meal," he says. "In addition they supplied monthly food parcels, encouraged me and helped with my homework when needed.
 "After matriculating I worked as a volunteer at Carryou and then was trained and absorbed as a Care Giver," says Lucas. "When the the opportunity to study and be trained as a Child and Youth Care Worker came along, I grabbed it with both hands and applied. Five people from Carryou completed an eighteen month-long training course with the National Association of Child Care Workers."

Resources

 Lucas's task is to visit families in the field, establish what it is they need and put in place resources needed to help them.
 "I spend a lot of time talking to and observin peopleg," he say. "For example I may see a child has not gone to school. Then it is my job to find out why. Perhaps he or she is being bullied, or is in trouble with the teachers. In that case I may have to advocate for the child and intercede with the headmaster, so we can get the kid back to school. Where necessary, we seek the help of outside resources.
 "Nothing makes me happier than seeing a child who was doing poorly at school blossom and pass his or her exams," says Lucas.
 Lucas is married with a son. When not working he enjoys watching movies with his son and playing street soccer with his friends.

Making life better for Aunt Meisie

Aunt Meisie

 Four years ago 65 year-old Toekomsrus resident, Maria Haremse, more commonly known as Aunt Meisie, was confined to a wheelchair when she developed spinal problems.
 "Life was very tough," she says. "Surviving on a Government pension and disability grant is not easy, especially as I live with my daughter and grandchildren.
 "It was a struggle and particularly difficult when I had to go to the hospital for doctors' appointments. Transport could easily cost me R400 and then there was no money for food."
 But Aunt Meisie's life took a turn for the better when Carryou Ministry field workers got to hear of her plight.
 "On 18 July last year, Mandela Day, our Child and Youth Care Programme workers decided they wanted to do something to help her," says Kenneth Malepe, Carryou Ministry Programme Manager.
 "They undertook to plant a vegetable garden for her and also to plaster the rear walls of her home and do some other repairs."
 The garden was planted and soon producing a variety of fresh, healthy food.
 "I ate spinach, pumpkin, carrots, beetroot and onions," says Aunt Meisie. "It was an enormous help and a big cash saving."

Knitting

 However at the time there was no money available to purchase the materials required to do the house repairs and improvements.
 "This month we got the cash needed," says Kenneth.
 Last week Child and Youth Care Workers descended on Aunt Meisie's home to complete the job, and at the same time freshen up the food garden and plant a new batch of vegetables.
 "It is wonderful and makes me very happy," she says.
 Arrangements have been made to take Aunt Meisie to the Carryou Drop In Centre in Toekomsrus every day.
 "There she will be taken care of and given a hot meal, and in return will teach youngsters knitting skills," says Kenneth.

Freshening up the food garden

The back wall is finally plastered

Exponential growth at Toekies

Kenneth Malepe, Programme Manager

 "Over the past year the Toekomsrus Department of Carryou Ministry has shown exponential growth," says Programme Manager, Kenneth Malepe. "This is as a result of services offered by our community caregivers, EPWPs, Coordinators, Child and Youth Care Workers and Auxiliary Social Workers."
 The Toekomsrus Drop In Centre has become a leading service provider and was recently recognised as the third best provider of it's kind in Gauteng.
 Three programmes are offered:

•  Toekomsrus HIV/AIDS Support Programme (Drop In Centre)
•  Isibindi Programme
•  Victim Empowerment Programme

  The impact of these programmes has been enormous. In one year, 12 481 households were visited, 4 839 school visits were conducted and 4 926 people were referred to Auxiliary Social Workers. 453 children and 61 adults received a daily, cooked meal and fifty eight households received monthly food parcels.
 In addition, a number of people were helped to obtain ID documents, child grants and disability grants.
 "We also succeeded in getting five youngsters from the community, accepted into tertiary education facilities," says Kenneth,

Activities for kids at the Toekomsrus Drop In Centre

Pam Jamison, Carryou Ministry Founder, reflects on the year that was

It is indeed wonderful to be able to report on another year of successful and fruitful ministry by Carryou and I wish to thank everyone for the strong support, especially our funders, Executive Committee, Management, including the general communities and everyone who is interested in this organisation and wishes to assist in some way.
 My experience at Carryou taught me there are many ways to help and teach children who have no adult guidance and supervision. This (past) financial year one of my initiatives focused more on reading and I had the great privilege to coach and mentor children in terms of reading the English language.
 Please allow me to reflect (for a moment) on other Carryou achievements during the year.

• Our orphaned and vulnerable children love to have a book read to them. They currently have access to a library of books from generous donors, however, there is still a need to have community caregivers properly trained to assist in the reading sessions.
• Most of our children arrive at our Drop-in Centres, every day, after school at around 13h00. It is a fact that while some enjoy reading and others enjoy other extramural activities, some still need help with school homework.
• Our community caregivers and some of our community members have started planting vegetables as a means to help cope with the high price of food for children. The produce will be organically-grown in a tunnel on our farm-holding in Vleikop.
• We have a container-creche at Elandsvlei that is attended by 30 learners. Two trained caregivers are taking care of this useful facility.
• All our 1153 orphaned and vulnerable children receive breakfast, a lunchbox and a balanced meal after school at Elandsvlei and at our main Drop-in Centre In Toekomsrus. Some meals are also still delivered and distributed at the feeding-points where children are unable to come to the DICs as a result of distance.
• Some businesses continue to grant us discounts when purchasing groceries for the centres and this really eases some of the pressures of trying to stay within the allocated budgets.
• Our bakery eventually became compliant with the local municipality health-inspection unit and started with operations. Loaves of bread were produced for the children to take home, while some were sold at an affordable price to different communities and NGOs.
• Several of our senior children passed well in Grade 12 and were accepted into various colleges, with the help and dedication of of our Social Auxillary Workers and Management team.
• Home nursing is still done by caregivers trained by the Health Department and concentrates on hygiene and rehab.
• People infected by HIV and those suffering from TB, became healthy quickly as they took their medicines regularly through treatment adherence support from caregivers and counselors.

May our Lord continue to bless all our workers and clients with His love.

The Angels bring fun and games to the kids

 It was fun and games for the kids at the Carryou Drop-in Centres at Toekomsrus and Elandsvlei when another generous donation organised by our US benefactor, Sue Heywood and her wonderful fellow angels allowed us to buy puzzles and games for both venues.
 The children were delighted and beaming faces abounded.
 "Not only are the games fun but they will also help stimulate and teach the kids vital skills," says Rev. Lawrence Mabaso, Carryou Ministry General manager.
 "Our rewards are lots of beaming smiles and, partnering the Carryou ministry in giving friendship, joy, peace, love, faith, and hope to hundreds of children, patients and families," says Sue.

This is one, mighty-inspiring, young, woman!

 Sometimes you are fortunate enough to meet someone so inspiring they leave you gasping in awe.
 Such a person is 19 year-old, shack-dweller, Martha Come, from Toekomsrus, Randfontein.
 Martha grew up without a father and five years ago the young woman's mother died, leaving behind a 13 year-old girl to care for both herself and her seven year-old brother, Jake.
 "My mom's family live in Mozambique. We have no-one here, so we had no option but to fend for ourselves," says Martha. "It was incredibly tough. Neighbours tried to help where they could but most of the time we had no groceries or money. However, I was determined I'd maintain our home and that my brother and I would live normal lives."
 It is school holidays but Martha is dressed in an immaculately-ironed school uniform.
 "I'm writing my matric exams at the end of the year and am attending holiday revision classes," she says. "So far my school results are very good but I've applied to study at three universities next year. I'll be competing for one of a very limited number of bursaries so I have to make sure I do well."
 It would have been very easy for Martha to fall into the clutches of a "Sugar Daddy" who, in return for favours, took care of her and her brother but that was an option she refused to even consider.
 "I promised I would never sell myself and my values," she says.

Afraid

 The truth is, no-one knew about Martha and Jake's situation.
 "I told no-one...nobody at school knew I was the "parent" in a child-headed household," Martha says. "I guess, in some ways, I was afraid of what might happen. I worried my brother and I might be separated.
 It was a heavy load for a child to carry.
 "My school results suffered and on occasion I missed exams when my brother became ill and I was forced to stay home and care for him," she says.
 In 2010 she suffered a minor stroke that doctors believe was the result of stress.
 But help arrived in the form of Carryou Ministry, who encountered the siblings on one of the organisation's regular house-to-house visits.
 "We didn't know about Carryou before they came knocking at our door," Martha says. "Their help has made a huge difference in our lives. Every day we are able to get a hot meal at the Drop-in Centre and they helped us get the paper-work sorted so we could apply for a social grant.
 "They give us a monthly food parcel and school uniforms at the beginning of each year and they helped with my university applications."

Ship-shape

 The home she shares with her brother is just a one-roomed shack not far from the Drop-in Centre but it is kept spotless and ship-shape.
 Martha is a young woman no no-one would blame for moaning about the hand life dealt her but she does not complain. She smiles constantly.
 "After my Mom's death I accepted my mission was to look after my brother and just decided to get on with it. I don't think I was cheated out of a childhood. I have enjoyed myself and am enormously proud of my brother who is doing well and excels at many things.
 "He is an excellent dancer and has dreams of one day becoming a professional (dancer) or maybe an engineer," she says. "I encourage him to do lots of different things.
 "We fight sometimes -- he is, after all a teenager -- but he makes me proud."
 Martha plans to study human resources or social work next year.
 "I've applied for bursaries but, if that doesn't work out, I'll find a job. I'm certainly not going to sit around and do nothing. At the moment I am looking for  temporary holiday work," she says.
 Despite her commitments and studying for her final school exams, Martha makes a point of spending time with her brother.
 "I work on keeping our bond strong by going out and just having fun with him," she says. "I also make time for my duties as a church Youth Leader, play netball and sing in the church choir."

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Meet our people: A rising star!

 Bongani Naholo (27) is a rising star at Carryou Ministry!
 As the new Bakery Co-ordinator, he starts work every morning at 04h00 at the bakery at the Toekomsrus Drop-in Centre.
 "That's when we need to begin preparing fresh bread for Carryou's other drop-in centres and feeding programmes, people in the community, many of whom want to grab a hot loaf when on their way to work, as well as for shops in the area'" he says.
 The young man grew up in Mohlakeng, Randfontein, where he completed his high school education.
 "While still at school I worked as a volunteer at Carryou and, in 2006, I became involved with the government's Extended Public Works Programme," he says.
 He has been with Carryou Ministry ever since.
 "I was always interested in computers and, in 2010, Carryou paid for me to complete an information technology, A+ course," he says. "That gave me the skills needed to take care of all the organisation's computer hardware. My function then was to maintain and upgrade Carryou's 14 PCs and laptops -- I had to ensure the machines were always up and running.

Delighted

 "The problem was, once I had everything operating smoothly, there wasn't much more to do so I was delighted when, after some bakery staff members resigned earlier this year, I was asked to help out at the bakery.
 "In 2006 I did a bakery course so it was natural for me to become a Bakery Assistant. I began work at the bakery in July," says Bongani.
 Since then he has been promoted to the position of Bakery Co-ordinator and oversees the day-to-day running of the operation.

 "I love the job and must admit, enjoy baking much more than I do IT.
 "It's exciting to see the business develop and to be part of its growth. In addition to bread, we now also bake vetkoek -- they are proving to be very popular -- and plan to start doing confectionery soon," he says.
 When not working Bongani enjoys soccer and cricket. He plays football for the church team.
 "Most of my weekends are spent involved in church activities and with my fiancé," he says. "We intend getting married next year, if all goes according to plan."

Meet our people: Ursula Pienaar - bringing smiles to kids' faces

 Ursula Pienaar (32), Child and Youth Worker at Carryou Ministry, always had a passion to work with children.
 "There was a time in my life when I was caught up in an abusive situation and I wanted to find a way to teach children what their rights are," she says.
 Pienaar, a single mom, grew up in Toekomsrus where she matriculated in 2000.
 "In 2008 I started work at Carryou as a Care Giver," she says, "and two months later was appointed personal assistant to the Human Resources Manager. I also did duty as the receptionist.
 "Then, when the Drop-in Centre at Toekomsrus was built, I took up the post of H.R. Manager there."
 But Ursula really wanted to be at the coal-face, in the field, directly helping people.
 "When I heard the Child and Youth Care Programme was being started I immediately applied to join and was absolutely delighted when I was accepted," Pienaar says.

Disability Facilitator

 Since then she has also, in addition, trained as a Disability Facilitator.
 "It was natural to do so," she says. "Disabled kids are often isolated and kept out of mainstream society. My role is to help the family engage with and integrate the child back into the community.
 "Often, a family simply does not have the skills, knowledge or resources to cope with the practicalities of raising a disabled child and I then try to help set up and implement practical solutions.
 "There is nothing I love more than seeing a smile light up a child's face," Pienaar says.
 When not working, Ursula enjoys swimming and is very involved in church activities.
 "I get a lot of encouragement from my pastor," she says, "and am constantly inspired by the Project Manager at Toekomsrus, Kenneth Malepe."
 And the future?
 "One day I'd like to be married and build a shelter for children -- especially street children. But for now, I am happy doing what I do."

Books for the kids in Toekies!

 July 4 is US Independence Day, when Americans celebrate their freedom. This year the day was a little more special for the staff of Health and Wellness Partners in New Jersey. (www.hwpnj.com).
 Under the auspices of Judy Handley, they donated US$750 (approx R7 200) that was used to buy books for the kids at the Carryou Drop-in Centre at Toekomsrus.
 170 books, both fiction and non-fiction were bought and delivered to a group of beaming, delighted children.
 "This is a wonderful gift and we are deeply grateful," says Kenneth Malepe, Programme Manager at the Toekomsrus Drop-in Centre. "These books will bring delight and joy to children for many years and will help build and develop their minds."
 When Judy Handley saw the photo of the smiling kids with their new books she said: "This photo is a perfect way to start the Independence Day Holiday! The books were given by HWP and the hope is they will serve to help the children at Carryou build a better life -- one in which independence is the key!"

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A young man who didn't fall through the cracks

 Tsepo Damoense (21) is another Carryou Ministry success story.
 The youngster could easily have slipped through the cracks and become yet another member of South Africa's lost generation. Instead, he is well on his way to qualifying as a school teacher.
 Tsepo was born in Munsieville, Krugersdorp and in 2003 moved to the Northern Cape to live with his mother and her parents. But a year later she died and, in December 2004, the youngster was sent to stay with an aunt in Toekomsrus, Randfontein.
 In 2006 his aunt died and a cousin came to take care of him.
 "A little while later I started visiting the Carryou Drop-in Centre in Toekies," he says. "There I was given a daily meal and counsellors were always ready to help. They were like family to me. They encouraged me to work hard at school and, in 2009, I passed matric but failed to apply for university-entrance in time."

Volunteer

 "I'd been helping out as a volunteer at the Drop-in Centre during school holidays and decided to continue doing so," he says, "and, in April the following year, I was appointed to be part of the government's Extended Public Works Programme at the drop-in centre.
 "I wanted to give something back to Carryou and did whatever was needed. I cooked, cleaned, ran errands, did typing and admin, helped kids with homework...whatever I could.
 "But my dream was always to be a teacher, as I love working with kids," says Tsepo. "In October 2010 I registered for a degree in teaching at the University of Johannesburg but had to deregister at the start of the next year, as I simply did not have the money required, and continued to work at Carryou.
 "Then I applied for and was granted a government student loan by the National Student Financial Assistance Scheme."
 Last year Tsepo Damoense took the first step towards achieving his dream when he completed his first year of studies at the University of Johannesburg. When he qualifies he plans to become a high school teacher, majoring in Historical Studies and Tourism and during his holidays he continues to help out at the Toekomsrus Drop-in Centre.

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Smiles and joy at the Carryou kids' Christmas parties

There were plenty of smiles, much laughter and a lot of joy at the annual Carryou Ministry Christmas parties held at the Elandsvlei and Toekomsrus drop-in centres on Friday, 7 December.

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From orphan to Project Manager. Meet our people: Kenneth Malepe

 Kenneth Malepe (28) is a remarkable young man!
 Today he is a project manager at Carryou Ministry but it's been a long, hard road he's had to travel and, because of his life-experiences, he can identify with and understand the struggles of the hundreds of people he helps every day.
 "I was the fourth of six children," he says, "raised by a single mother, in Itirileng, a tiny village in the Northern Cape.
 "My mum eventually moved to Randfontein with my two younger sisters, to try to find work. In 2000, aged 16, I moved there as she needed help caring for my sisters.
 "I did much of the washing and cooking when I got home from school in the afternoons."

Head of the household

 A few months later his mother died and the 16 year-old boy found himself thrust into the role of head of the household, with the responsibility of taking care of his sisters, aged 10 and 14.
 "I only started school when I was 11 so, here I was, a Grade 7 (Standard 5) youngster, faced with the responsibility of making sure we survived," he says. "I had to do the cooking, help with the cleaning, make lunches for school and worry about keeping us all together, all of which became increasing difficult when I started high school."
 But fate smiled upon the little orphaned family when Sister Pam Jamison, Carryou Ministry founder, got to hear of their plight.
 "She set things in motion," says Kenneth, "and arranged for Penny McRory, a wonderful woman, who became our guide and mentor, to sponsor us.
 "Penny visited us in November and bought us clothes, Christmas presents and stationery for school. In addition, every month, she supplied money that covered the cost of food, groceries and school-fees.
 "We also had an uncle who lived on the East Rand who visited and helped."
 2002 was the start of a whole new life for the kids.
 "Penny was like a mother to us and Sister Pam took me under her wing. She would take me shopping and teach me how to buy groceries, budget and run a household," says Kenneth.
 Two years later the youngster had to make the tough decision to send his youngest sister back home to their village.
 "I just couldn't cope with taking care of two teenaged girls while at the same time, trying to run a household and give attention to my school-studies," he says.
 "It was difficult to do but I knew she would be well cared for by my granny and aunt and, every month, I sent some of Penny's sponsorship money home to help provide for her.
 "I visited her every school holiday and we spent many hours just sitting and chatting."
 Sadly, some time later, it was discovered she was born with a serious lung-deficiency and she died before her 20th birthday.

University

 In 2006 Kenneth graduated from school and, with Penny's help, enrolled at the University of Johannesburg, studying for a degree in commerce and accounting.
 In his spare time and during the holidays, he helped at Carryou and also assisted, teaching accounting at his former high school in Randfontein.
 "So many people had helped me that I just wanted to give something back," he says.
 But the pressure of being at university every day and continuing to take care of his sister, eventually became too much.
 He decided to continue his degree studies through the University of South Africa (UNISA), the country's best-know distance-learning institution and, at the same time, enrol in an internship programme with Carryou Ministry.
 Two years later he was appointed Programme Manager, where he now oversees the operations of the Toekomsrus Drop-in Centre.
 "I am not too far from completing my degree," he says, "but I know I really should have done a Bachelors' degree in social welfare and intend to do just that when this degree is done."
 There are marriage plans on the horizon for Kenneth and, whenever he can, he likes to travel.
 "I love exploring, seeing new things, new places and meeting new people," he says.

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