Jabulile Ngwenya is a single mother of eight children from Standerton, Mpumalanga, who, over 18 years ago, moved to Thembelihle in search of a better life and new opportunities. Her mother, Thoko Ngwenya, plays a vital role in the family, offering support wherever possible. Despite facing many challenges, including financial hardship, the family has managed to persevere with resilience and determination. At present, their primary source of income is the old age grant, which, although not enough to cover all their needs, remains their main means of survival.
A significant obstacle for Jabulile is her lack of legal identity documents. Without an ID, she has been unable to access many services and support systems that could greatly improve her family’s situation. For months, we have been working tirelessly to assist her in obtaining the necessary documents. However, a major hurdle has been the verification of her fingerprints, which have not been successfully processed. This delay has prevented her from obtaining a valid ID, limiting her access to her basic rights and opportunities to create a better future for her children.
Since the family began receiving assistance from our center, we have provided consistent psycho-social support to help them cope with the emotional and mental challenges they face daily. Additionally, we have been able to supply them with nutritious, cooked meals every day, easing one of their biggest concerns and ensuring the children receive at least one balanced meal daily. This support has brought some stability to the family, helping relieve some of the burdens Jabulile faces.
However, there are still many challenges ahead. One of the children, Reneilwe, has not been able to attend school because she lacks a birth certificate. Despite being of age for Grade 1, her inability to provide this important document has prevented her from being enrolled. This has been a significant concern for the family, as education is a crucial pathway out of poverty. We continue to work closely with the relevant authorities to resolve the issues with Jabulile’s documents and to ensure that Reneilwe will soon be able to start her educational journey.
Our efforts are ongoing, and we remain committed to helping Jabulile and her family navigate this challenging process. We are hopeful that once her legal documents are in order, it will open doors to many more opportunities, including healthcare, education, and employment. With continued support and determination, we are optimistic that this family will overcome the barriers they face and secure a brighter future—especially for Reneilwe, who is eager to begin her education.