HUMANSDORP – For nearly three decades, abandoned and vulnerable children in Humansdorp have found a safe space in the home of a foster mother who continues to open her doors to those in need.

Foster care journey began in 1996

Leonie Jacobs-Plaatjies has been involved with abandoned children since 1996 and has cared for multiple children over the years, with some staying with her for short periods and others for many years.

In January 1997, Jacobs-Plaatjies said she received her first foster child from the Department of Social Development.

The child was only one month old at the time.

Jacobs-Plaatjies said four years later, in 2001, a social worker contacted her again to ask if she could assist with the care of her foster son’s sister, who was three years old at the time.

In 2002, she welcomed her first biological child and later had a second biological child.

In 2008, Jacobs-Plaatjies said the mother of the first two children she fostered later gave birth to a third child, who was also placed in her care.

“Children need stable homes and love, which is what I want to give them,” said Jacobs-Plaatjies.

She said her involvement in the community expanded when she became a committee member in Ward 4 and took over the health and welfare portfolio five years ago.

Community turns to Jacobs-Plaatjies for help

Since social workers knew Jacobs-Plaatjies and knew that she was a good foster mother, she said she was able to assist with cases involving children who had been abandoned or neglected, as well as children who needed stable homes and love.

Jacobs-Plaatjies said members of the community now contact her when they become aware of a child who needs somewhere safe to stay.

“The community calls me, and I go to check on children who might need a temporary home to stay in,” said Jacobs-Plaatjies.

She said weekends can be particularly busy, with many incidents occurring in the community and her having to step in to assist affected children.

Small home makes space for vulnerable children

At times, more than one child needs assistance, leaving Jacobs-Plaatjies to find a way to accommodate them in her two-bedroom home.

“I don’t have a place for them to sleep because my house is small, but I make a plan because my heart is in it,” said Jacobs-Plaatjies.

“Sometimes I must make a bed on the floor because I only have two bedrooms.”

Jacobs-Plaatjies said there are many cases in the community involving alcohol and drug abuse, with children sometimes being left alone at night.

She also assists children when a house burns down, taking them in when they need somewhere safe to stay.

Safe house could help more children

To assist more children and continue her work, Jacobs-Plaatjies said she needs help to establish a safe house.

She said there is a vacant plot at the back of her yard and that she applied for ownership of the plot about two years ago.

However, Jacobs-Plaatjies said the matter is still being processed.

She also said she needs funding for a structure on the property so that she can have rooms for a functioning safe house.

Jacobs-Plaatjies currently has two children staying at her house, further highlighting the need for additional space to accommodate children who require a safe place to stay.

She said her first foster son, whom she received in 1996, continued to motivate her to assist children in the community.

Sadly, he passed away two years ago.

Jacobs-Plaatjies said she plans to continue honouring him through fostering more children and hopefully establishing a safe house soon.

“I always called him my son because I never saw him as my foster son; instead I saw him as my firstborn child,” said Jacobs-Plaatjies.

“People could not believe that he was not my biological son because he looked like me.”

StrongHer nomination brings emotional recognition

Jacobs-Plaatjies’ community work led to her nomination for the Kouga Municipality’s StrongHer International Award.

According to the municipality, the award recognises women who uplift and inspire their communities.

Jacobs-Plaatjies said she was honoured, speechless and emotional about the nomination, particularly because one of the nominees was one of her foster children.

She described the nomination as a token of gratitude from her foster child.

Despite her excitement, Jacobs-Plaatjies said she was nervous about attending the StrongHer event because it was the first time she had participated in an event with a group of other people.

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