Mandy Ginsberg has poured eight years of love into Thato and Helga, stepping up as their guardian angel to ensure the painful poverty of their past never defines the bright future they deserve.
Johannesburg, South Africa (14 September 2026) – Found living a life no child should ever know, Thato and Helga were taken in by a real-life guardian angel named Mandy Ginsberg.
They spent their earliest years on the sidewalk outside Mandy’s local supermarket. Thato, just four at the time, was helping his dad push trolleys to cars to earn tips. Nearby, little Helga was being breastfed on the pavement while her single mother worked tirelessly as a street vendor selling oven gloves.
Last year, Good Things Guy shared how Mandy opened her home and heart to these children, relentlessly ensuring they have everything they need, especially a good education.
Eight years later, that labour of love hasn’t dwindled. However, as Thato and Helga grow, so too does the cost of their care and education.
Now, Mandy finds herself needing to raise R75,000 for the school year ahead, and she has just 11 weeks to do so.
“I made a commitment that, as far as I possibly could, the circumstances they were born into would not determine their future,” Mandy says.
“For eight years, I have helped educate them, and now we’ve reached a huge milestone: Thato is starting high school.
Over the years, The Angel Network has generously assisted Mandy in supporting Thato and Helga, and she is immensely grateful for the difference their support and community have made in these children’s lives.
Now she needs R75,000 to cover both children’s school fees, uniforms, stationery and transport for the year. Their driver alone costs R1,600 every month because they attend two different schools.
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Eight years ago, these children needed someone to believe their lives could look different. Eight years later, Mandy still believes she can be that person for them and refuses to give up on their future now.
Donations can be made to the fundraising campaign here.
Sources: Linked Above
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