THERE is a famous saying that goes, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”.
This is exactly what Khanyisa teacher, Noxolo Kotishini, did. Having lost her baby shortly after giving birth, she went on and enrolled for a diploma in business management in Port Elizabeth.
Kotishini is currently working as a teacher at Khanyisa Day Care Centre in Graaff-Reinet, at the Special Care Unit, for children who suffer from cerebral palsy or are on the autism spectrum.
After her loss and struggle to find work, she vowed not to let the situation get her down.
After attending some support groups for women who had lost their babies, she decided to redirect her energy towards assisting families by showing them that every cloud has a silver lining.
Kotishini’s journey started in 2018, when she volunteered for the centre.
Her positive attitude towards life and compassion for children were soon noticed by Khanyisa management and a teaching position was offered to her.
She grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
What makes her story more touching is the fact that the baby she lost also had cerebral palsy and this seems to have been the motivating factor for her, as she vowed to work tirelessly in changing stereotypes and to play a nurturing role by giving continuous love to the children as she would have done to her own.
When visited by Express, Kotishini was feeding one of the learners.
The love and compassion for the work she was doing were evident, as she was patient and loving towards the learner.
“I love to work with the children as I feel fulfilled after the loss of my child.
“I have always been a person who loves children so, for me, it is a labour of love,” she said.
Kotishini’s story is encouraging and inspirational and should send a message to many other young women from our communities who have shared a similar experience.
Not only does she demonstrate that in life one must adapt to changes and turn a bad situation into a good one, but she also shows how far one can get with a positive attitude.
The fact that she holds a diploma in business management did not deter her from pursuing other avenues of her life and this was fuelled by the love for children and for doing what is right.
“My message to young mothers who have babies with such conditions is simple; you must first love yourself before you can give love to that baby, as God is in control of everything on earth, no matter what.”
