THE year 2020 is a special one for Vuyani Safe Haven in Graaff-Reinet, as the child and youth care centre celebrates its 20th year of existence.
“We hope the community and all our supporters will celebrate with us as we remember the years past with gratitude and look prayerfully forward to new developments,” said Riana van der Ahee, administrator at Vuyani.
This year also marks a new chapter for Nosipho Witbooi, who was a resident of Vuyani for the past 10 years.
“Staying at Vuyani made me a calmer, better person. I learned to make good choices and be responsible for myself and it also taught me to be who I am today.
“Staying at Vuyani was like a journey for me because I had goals, and everyday my ‘mothers’ and ‘father’ always spoke to me about life.
“They inspired me not to lose hope, and here I am today, thanking God for the difference he has made in my life,” Witbooi said.
Nosipho matriculated from Spandau High School in 2019, and this year she embarked on her studies at the SA College of Tourism. Vuyani took great pleasure in presenting a photo memory book to Witbooi of her 10 years at Vuyani and she was also fitted out with clothes and all she would need for her 2020 student year at SACT.
“She was a joy, an a real star at Vuyani Safe Haven,” said Van der Ahee.
Though Vuyani is no longer Witbooi’s home, they will continue to support her, and if there are members of the community who would like to drop her an inspirational note, they can send it to info@vuyanisafehaven.co.za.
