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.

Inspiring words from an inspirational young woman

Pamela Serage is a Carryou Ministry success story. She is an inspiration and at the recent Carryou Ministry AGM she addressed the youth and the community.

This is what she had to say:

I would like to introduce myself and elaborate on how I’m connected to Carryou ministry. My name is Pamela Mokgadi Serage from Randfontein Toekomsrus. I come from a child headed family both my parents passed away, I grew up with my brother and fortunately our parents left us a house. I was introduced to Carryou by a very wonderful woman, at that time she was my brother’s class teacher Ms Abrams. I joined Carryou when I was 15 years old, I was in my teens and now I’m a woman because of Carryou, I am the product of Carryou ministry. I met Sister Pam and Sue Heywood at Toekomsrus Drop-in centre, the first question that Sue asked me was what do you want to do with your life I told her I want to go to university. At that time I was doing my matric Sue had already organized money for me to go to school.

I wanted to study Geology. I remember going to Free State province in the morning around 3:00 am with Mr. Mabaso and Mzi to write a test in order to get a bursary to study Geology. I passed the test and was called for an interview which, unfortunately I failed. I so wanted to be a Geologist but God had other plans for me. I enrolled for Environmental Health at the UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG from 2007 to 2009 and managed to complete my course within the specified time.

When I was writing my final exam I already knew where I was going to work. In 2010 I worked as a Port Health Officer at Lanseria International Airport, and then in 2011 in August I was working as an Inspector, responsible for the whole of West Rand District. I am currently employed as a Superintendent for waste minimisation and education at Merafong City Local Municipality. I completed my BTECH in 2012.

Follow your dreams

But today I would like to speak to the youth, I want to encourage you to follow your dreams, it does not matter what situation you are in, it does not matter whether you are an orphan, you are HIV positive, your parents are unemployed, it all depends on you to change the person you are today to be the person you want to be tomorrow. Your future is in your hands and in Jeremiah 29v11 God says ‘For I know the plans I have for you is to prosper not harm you.’ God knows the desires of our hearts; he knew us while we were still in our mother’s womb so he will never leave you or forsake you. They say education is the key to success but I say education plus God and you will go far, He will unlock all the gates.

It saddened me to hear that we have learners that have failed in the colleges. When you are given an opportunity make sure that you utilize it to the best of your ability. Do not misuse the opportunity because I have witnessed the efforts that are put in by the management of Carryou and the various sponsors to ensure that we have a better future.  Please let’s work hard and better ourselves and the future of our children. And make sure that our families have a better life. The foundation has been laid for us by the Carryou management and it is up to us to carry the legacy.  I was an orphan but I had everything at school as if my parents were still alive.  All things are possible - follow your dreams.
I would also like to speak to the community. Let’s be united, let’s help each other. As a parent if you see children playing and not going to school, you must be concerned and encourage the child  to go to school. We have so many children that are abused emotionally and physically, please offer a shoulder to cry on. It’s also woman’s month let’s love one another and help each other. We have so many woman that are abused by their partners. Don’t laugh at them; show them the way and provide them with a solution to get out of their situation.

I just want to send my sincere gratitude to everyone at Carryou Ministry for playing a very important role in my life. The road was not easy I was young and temptations were there, but I thank God that I was able to overcome the temptations and focus on bettering my life. I am now a board member and it’s my passion to make a difference in someone’s life. I thank you.

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.