“I would go into the bathroom and cry”, these are the words of a once-troubled young man whose childhood was marred by parental neglect and an unsafe environment. When he found yoga, something shifted. He discovered a side to life that wasn’t harsh or violent. More importantly, he discovered himself.
Lavender Hill, South Africa (24 June 2025) – Growing up in Lavender Hill, a community where gangsterism, drugs, and violence rob children of their light and innocence far too young, a brave 12-year-old child found strength and purpose in an unlikely activity.
Deprived of parental love due to addiction, and troubled by the constant threat of an unsafe environment, Devado had to grow up and mature very quickly while carrying a lot of undeserved pain.
“Most times, I would go into the bathroom and then cry. But I recently found yoga,” he said.
When Devado found yoga through the Earthchild Project, something shifted. He discovered calm, strength and himself.
“Yoga helped me find my inner peace. The yoga club is about finding your inner peace and realising the person you are. We do lots of different kinds of poses, and it’s where I become one with my soul.
“Yoga has had a massive impact on my life. The true self I found in yoga was a role model to others. Being an inspiration to children who are younger than me and even to grown-ups.”
EarthChild is a non-profit organisation that offers complimentary education to under-resourced schools. Through yoga and other activities, children are taught to connect to themselves and each other, equipping them with practical life skills and knowledge on how to be healthy, confident and resilient.
“What I’ve learned from the Earthchild Project is how to communicate with others and to find inner peace. To me, inner peace feels like home. Like lying in your mother’s lap,” Devado shared.
Related Stories
View this post on Instagram
They Made It! Young Animal Welfare Volunteers Off to Cape Town
This Dog Saw Humanity at Its Cruellest – Then Came a Little Girl With R15Devado’s story and journey highlight how even in the most challenging environments, tools that foster inner peace, confidence, and hope can empower young individuals to not only overcome adversity but also to inspire their communities, even in the harshest environments.
To support Earthchild Project’s work so more children like Devado can rise up, visit the website to learn more. You can also find their GivenGain page here.
Sources: Earthchild Project
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 
