A Lentegeur woman has written a book to help people deal with hardship in their lives.
Mariam Davids, a social worker at Delft day hospital, hopes Heartbeats of Hope will help readers navigate divorce, separation, grief, domestic violence and trauma to find solace, growth and healing.
She had been thinking about writing the book for a few years before Covid-19 lockdown and “society not coping too well“ spurred her on to share success stories of some of those she has helped.
“The world is full of struggle, pain and tragedy, but it is also full of hope and opportunities to start again”, says the blurb on the book’s back cover.
Ms Davids says each of the 40-stories in the book offers motivation to become better and heal.
“It allows you to appreciate what you have and to be grateful, to read that someone may be worse off than you but still beat the odds,” she says.
The book includes illustrations by her colleague, radiographer Theo Meyer.
Ms Davids says many people don’t know where to turn for help or they are too scared to ask for help when life takes them down a difficult path, but she says acknowledging that there is a problem is the first step to getting help.
She recommends speaking to someone who is open and willing to listen
“You don’t have to wait to be in an abusive relationship. Break the cycle. You have a choice and deserve to be happy,” she says.
Ms Davids says her clients have given her permission to publish their stories in the hope that they can help others.
The book costs R200 and is available on amazon.com. Email davidsmariam855@gmail.com for a copy or more information.