Looking after the needs of six abandoned, abused and neglected children is a Lentegeur woman’s only concern.
Shirley Visagie, mother of the House of Grace, said she may not know whether she will have food to eat tonight or have a bed to sleep on but she makes sure the children, who were placed with her for safekeeping, are cared for.
“Ek kan nie kyk hoe ’* ma nie na haar kind kan kyk nie. Ons gee hulle ’* familie, ’* warmer plekkie om te slaap en hulle bad saans,” she said.
Ms Visagie said social workers drop the children at the home with only the clothes on their backs.
She recalled receiving a baby in a nappy so filthy that the dirt clung to the infant’s body.
“Hulle is wonderlike kinders. Ek sal hulle nooit wegstoot nie,” she said.
Ms Visagie, who has been looking after children since her own daughter was a toddler, said it was tough looking after other people’s children but that she loved them more than her six biological children, because they do not have parents or someone who cares for them.
“Party van hulle is siek. Ek het ’* dogtertjie grootgemaak wat FAS (Foetal alchohol Syndrome) gehad het. Gebed het daai kind deurgedra,” she said.
Ms Visagie is always prepared withbottles,nappies,clean clothes and blankets for when a social worker might bring another child. “The needs of the children
are different, whether it is medical, toiletries, sanitary towels, food, counselling or just love,” she said.
She said it was important to encourage the children to break free from their circumstances and that God has a plan for them.
Community worker Bernie Galant said meeting the family at 5 Kameeldoring Street, in Lentegeur, had touched her and motivated her to get involved.
“These children are so lovable. All they need is resources and to know that there is someone who cares for them,” she said.
Ms Galant said the children had many needs and that the community could help to ensure the children live their best lives.
Anyone with donations can text or call Ms Galant on 076 547 2827.