Educate a South African Child Experiencing Poverty

This month, Nontando, a 2009 Christel House South Africa graduate, is sharing her journey from shanty town to Chemical Engineer. If you missed part 1 of her update, you can read it here: Nontando: Growing up in the Township

(Part 2 of 3)

Christel House transformed my life by breaking the cycle of poverty I was born into. It did not give me a fish to eat but taught me how to fish in order to be sustained for a long time through a free, quality education. I quote Tata Nelson Mandela, “Education is the greatest engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that a son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm worker can become the president of a country, for education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” The quality education that Christel House freely gave changed life for me, the daughter of a domestic worker.

It was not only the quality education I received at Christel House, but character building and values were instilled from a very young age. I learned the true meaning of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity and Independence—the Christel House core values. I use these values daily in my job at Chevron as I relate to colleagues and rise to the challenges of my work.

My life was greatly impacted by Christel House through teachers who loved and cared for me and my classmates. My life was really paved with a brighter and more meaningful future. At times, my teachers even opened their homes so that I could study in a peaceful, safe environment. When my mom passed, I was in my second year of university studying Chemical Engineering. It was hard. Yes, my dad was there, but she was the bread winner and my emotional support. Who was going to support me like she did? One of my professors even suggested I take a break from my studies and return the following year. The day following my mother’s funeral, my dad took me to the train station to go back to class. Although I was already at university, I do not think I could have gone through that period of my life without the support from Christel House staff who became surrogate mothers for me. They supported me emotionally, spiritually and even financially.

Christel House changed my life by opening doors for me when I had absolutely nothing to offer. I arrived in 2002 as a below average student, could not speak English and was very shy. I graduated in 2009 as the first valedictorian of Christel House South Africa. My school planted a seed in my life, watered and nurtured it through all my years at Christel House, during university and even now through career and life guidance.

I was fortunate to have opportunities which I never thought possible. I was able to travel to the USA, where I learnt leadership skills, developed self-confidence and met friends from all over the world. I was able to participate in extramural activities, like the school choir, public speaking, sports and art.

Not only did Christel House impact my life, but my family’s too. My parents had access to monthly programs ranging from budgeting to health and wellness. Through it all, hope was raised for a better tomorrow.

Thank you for your support of Christel House South Africa students. Check your inbox soon for Part 3 of Nontando’s story.

Links:

• Hear Nontando share her story
• Christel House Website
• Christel House Facebook