Spreading the gift of hope
KIA Motors South Africa this week made a donation of R100,000 to Home of Hope for Girls in Johannesburg.
The donation is one of a series of charitable donations made in the company’s pursuit of making a difference in the lives of others.
Home of Hope of Girls began in 2000 when the home’s founder, Khanyisile Motsa – affectionately known as Mam Khanyi – refused to close her eyes to the reality of what she saw on the streets of Hillbrow and Berea.
“Every child has the right to safety, care and education, but for thousands of forgotten children this is nothing but a dream,”
says Mam Khanyi.
“The situation is beyond dire. Criminals pay agents, who target orphans and unprotected children, who traffic these children from rural areas. They are essentially ‘owned’ by their exploiters, and are abused, prostituted and made to sell drugs. Their ID documents are frequently taken, making their escape and later identification very difficult.”
Mam Khanyi put herself between these vulnerable girls and their abusers, at first rescuing girls from these utterly unacceptable situations and caring for them in her own home. But the numbers kept growing, and Mam Khanyi soon registered Home of Hope for Girls as an NGO, working from locations in Berea before establishing two residential homes.
Over the years, Mam Khanyi equipped herself with extensive training in tackling sexual abuse and rehabilitating survivors. She also learnt how to navigate the complex world of dealing with Home Affairs, the SAPS, social workers, health services, community groups and the wider community. Her vision of restoring human dignity soon became a reality.
Today, Home of Hope for Girls is a haven for approximately 75 girls in full-time care, and supports approximately 150 vulnerable children through their outreach centre in the Hillbrow/ Berea area. The organisation has become a leading voice in the fight against child trafficing, and has had considerable success in identifying those who are being abused while facilitating their removal from danger, rehabilitating the survivors, and providing meaningful education. Where possible, the organisation does everything in its power to reunite the girls with their families.
Mam Khanyi and her team has won several awards and recognition over the years, most notably in 2018 when the Nelson Mandela Foundation awarded her as one of South Africa’s ‘Unsung Heroes’. On the award, proudly received by Mam Khanyi, were the words:
“Do not look the other way; do not hesitate. Recognise that the world is hungry for action, not words. Act with courage and vision.”
“We are absolutely inspired by the work of Mam Khanyi, and the passion she and her team of caregivers and volunteers have for making a tangible difference in the lives of so many girls,”
says David Sieff, Marketing Director, KIA Motors South Africa.
“More than anything, we are in awe of the resilience and tenacity of the young ladies, who are flourishing under the care and support of Home of Hope for Girls.”
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