More than two decades ago, Nelly Senong travelled from Johannesburg to Jeffreys Bay to fulfil her God-given purpose of establishing 7th Heaven Children’s Haven, a child and youth care centre for abandoned children.
Now, 22 years later, she continues to provide a safe home for many children, empowering them to overcome adversity and reach their full potential.
A calling to care
Growing up in Johannesburg, Senong was instilled with a sense of purpose at her local church, where she was encouraged to discover God’s plan for her life and sparked a lifelong quest to uncover her divine calling.
A pivotal moment came when, as a young girl, she witnessed the devastating effects of the Rwandan Civil War on television, leaving countless children orphaned.
This heart-wrenching revelation ignited a deep sense of compassion and set her on a path to dedicate her life to helping vulnerable children.
“I had a great desire to help the orphaned children in Rwanda, and I believed that this was my calling from God,” said Senong.
Once she completed high school, she embarked on a quest to find South African organisations dedicated to supporting vulnerable children in Rwanda.
However, Senong’s search yielded disappointing results, as she could not find any local organisations actively working in Rwanda.
She said that she felt frustrated because no doors were opening to her desire to fulfil God’s plan for her life.
As she continued to seek God’s guidance, she experienced a profound moment of clarity.
While asleep, Senong was awakened by a radio broadcast on Radio Pulpit featuring Nehemia, an organisation that assisted abandoned children in Jeffreys Bay.
During her time at Nehemia, she said that her heart went out to the numerous children she encountered living on the streets.
A home for the homeless
Compelled by a deep desire to make a difference, in 2002 Senong took action by securing a home that would serve as a haven, providing a temporary safe space for many vulnerable street children.
With her passion for abandoned children growing, she formally registered her non-profit organisation, 7th Heaven Children’s Haven, which she has identified as a child and youth care centre.
By registering her organisation, Senong said she was able to form a partnership with local social workers and the South African Police Services.
A haven of hope
At the haven, her dedication to caring for children of all ages remained unwavering.
A significant milestone was reached in 2008 with the arrival of the Haven’s first infant, a six-month-old girl who was severely malnourished and resembled a newborn due to her condition.
Senong recounted that this tiny child had endured a difficult start to life, having been sustained solely on flour mixed with water, a stark testament to the dire circumstances from which she was rescued.
“When the baby arrived, I was nervous because I had never cared for a baby before. I was also very concerned about her health because it was a life-and-death situation,” said Senong.
Thankfully, after receiving the necessary medical attention, the little girl gradually gained her strength and was thriving in no time.
“Today, the little baby that came to me in such a bad state is a beautiful 16-year-old girl. She still stays at the haven, and she is always willing to help me with the other children,” said Senong.
Empowering young lives
She said that each child brought to her home has a unique, and often difficult life story.
However, Senong said she is grateful that despite the adversities faced since birth, their time at the haven has led to a positive outlook on life.
“Many children have very low aspirations for their lives when they first arrive at the haven. Thankfully, after spending some time at the haven there is a shift in how they behave and think. The children start speaking about their dreams and hopes for the future. They start to blossom and unfold and begin to look at their lives differently,” said Senong.
Appeal for support
Given the overwhelming number of children in need of shelter and care, Senong said her organisation cannot assist all abandoned children.
She therefore holds onto the hope that like-minded individuals and organisations will be inspired to establish similar havens, collectively making a more significant impact in addressing the pressing need for safe homes.
“These children did not choose to live in such difficult circumstances. They need us to give them hope because if we do not help these children, they will be broken members of the community,” said Senong.
