A new future for survivors of abuse, South Africa

A group of 10 females were recruited from various support groups we facilitate namely, young mother support group which consists of teen moms aged 15-24 years, Gender Based Violence (GBV) support groups which consist of women who are GBV victims and survivors and Commercial Social workers (CSW) support group as well as women in the community of Mabopane to form part of Ikemele women empowerment programme on august 2023, with the goal of empowering women through counselling, skills development, job search assistance and entrepreneurship support. The goal is to see them rise above their trauma, become financially independent and find their purpose in life. The program ran for four months (August 2023-December 2023) and during this period the women also received food parcels.

Who are our ten beneficiaries?

EMILY 

Meet Emily , a 24 year old female and mother of a 5 and 2 year old babies. She is a survivor of GBV, who was spotted from one of our GBV support groups in Winterveldt Mabopane. During counselling sessions, she expressed that she was forced into marriage by her mother when she was pregnant with her 5 year old child at the age of 19 years. Emily experienced both physical and emotional abuse during her marriage, which left her feeling hopeless. It was until she heard about Lesedi La Batho from her neighbour, that she joined our support group.

After attending both GBV and Ikemele support group we are proud to say that Emily left her abusive relationship, has completed our inhouse computer accredited course and is now a registered student at University of South Africa (UNISA) for Tourism Management. She is now determined to help other women who are victims and survivors of GBV. She has started a support group around her area, with the goal to provide support.

DIMAKATSO 

Dimakatso had to drop out of tertiary when she fell pregnant. Dimakatso found herself having to put her dreams of furthering her studies on hold and take on the responsibility of being a mother to her child and siblings when her mother passed away

During one of our support group sessions, the topic on goals setting helped Dimakatso revisit her initial goal of furthering her studies and with our support Dimakatso is registered to study Bachelors in Education with UNISA for 2024.

OLGA 

Olga is a 46 year old female who is currently unemployed and surviving on child support grant. During one-on-one counselling sessions, she expressed that she was denied an opportunity to go to school by her parents and dropped out of school in grade 1. She was a victim of rape at the age of 13 and bottles with anger. She felt privileged to have formed part of our ikemele support group and having obtained a skill (Sewing and Beading) was a triumph, as she has never studied for anything before. Her plan is to establish her own tailor business.

TABEA 

Tabea is an 18 year old female from our young mothers support group. She expressed that as a child she suffered emotional abuse from her stepfather who drove her to become financially dependent on men. She dropped out of school whilst doing her 9th grade when she fell pregnant.  Because of her inability to read nor write, we saw it fit to enrol her in a skill where she will be using her hands (Sewing and Beading). After her skills training, Tabea is still receiving ongoing support from our Young Mothers Support Group.

MASESI 

Masesi is a GBV victim from one of our support groups in Mabopane Block B. Masesi who is experiencing family dispute is finding herself dependent on alcohol to run away from her problems. Masesi who mentioned that she would like to change her life, was enrolled on to the Sewing and Beading skills training. During Ikemele support groups and counselling sessions we saw change in behaviour from her. She was honouring appointments and coming to school early for her sewing classes and even volunteered to help in class. Masesi is still receiving ongoing support regarding her alcohol intake and family conflicts.

PABALLO 

Paballo is a survivor of GBV from our supported GBV support group in extension 13. She is an unemployed mother of 4 children, who is depending on child support grand. Before she joined Ikemele support group she had low self-esteem issues and she had forgotten about her goals. With our sessions we helped her to revisit her goals and rebuilding her confidence as a woman and a mother.

After completion of a skills training in Sewing and Beading, she is now goal driven and would like to pursue a career in Sewing. Having seen her drive, Paballo received a sewing machine donation from one of our beneficiaries and she plans on starting a small sewing business at home.

JOHANNA 

Johanna who is a survivor of GBV was spotted from one of our GBV support groups in Soshanguve extension 14. After the passing of her husband, Johanna found herself financially over stretched because as a stay at home spouse who was dependent on her late husband, she had no skills or a qualification. With our support, Johanna has successfully completed a skill in Baby Care and is now employed as babysitting. She has also started a support group for women who are victims and survivors of GBV around her area.

LERATO 

Lerato is a 21 year old female from a young mothers support group. As a young mother Lerato had to put her dreams of furthering her studies on hold when she fell pregnant at a young age. Through the Ikemele support group she completed a skill in Baby Care, which will also help her to improve her parenting skills.

Lerato applied at UNISA to Study Tourism Management with the assistance from Lesedi la Batho and is still awaiting funding approval from (NFSAS) National Student Financial Aid Scheme.

MEME 

Meme a GBV survivor from our GBV support group in Mabopane Bock A, who found herself resorting to violence as a defence mechanism, has learned effective ways of communicating and conflict management. She has also found strength to leave her toxic relationship. Having obtained a skill in Sewing and Beading, she would now like to start a small business in sewing.

NTHABISENG 

Nthabiseng is a survivor of GBV from one of our support groups in Soshanguve extension 14. She is an unemployed mother, from a disadvantaged background. Nthabiseng Skhosana has acquired her first skill with Lesedi La Batho. During attending Ikemele support groups and skills training, we saw Nthabiseng establishing a small business of scones and she also facilitates GBV support group sessions in her area with the support from our Social Workers.