South African social media spent Heritage Day trying to find a homeless man’s family.
Northcliff, Johannesburg – Kuda Chigariro shared a story on the eve of Heritage Day which has touched the heartstrings of many South Africans and reminded us that people living on the street are no different to you and me.
Chigariro saw a familiar homeless person and decided that this was the right time to stop to help him. She shared her story to Facebook, which quickly went viral on Heritage Day with many South Africans spending their time to try help both her and the young man she was trying to help.
Read her full post below:
“For many years, I have driven past this young man and his friend. They were usually at traffic lights in Linden and surrounding areas. Two years ago I approached him, and his friend in the hopes that I could assist but I suppose the time was not right.
Today, he was standing at the traffic lights on Beyers/N by Impala. I made small talk asked after his friend who had “disappeared” the last time I saw him. He then told me he had gone to Rehab in Potchefstroom. While the traffic light was Red, he managed to tell me enough for me to make a U-turn and park.
His name is Jonathan Prinsloo, and he is 25.
He has been on the street for about eight years. He last spoke to his family five years ago. He has been sober for some months now but has no idea how to save enough to get home. He is not sure if his parents are still there, and there is obviously an emotional battle too. The contact numbers he had for his family do not work.
His father’s name is David Prinsloo, his mother is Olga Prinsloo, and his sister’s name is also Olga Pretorius.
They lived in Potchefstroom the last time he spoke to them.
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He would love to be reunited with his family. If anyone has information, please contact his Parent/Family. Please Share to your Groups and Profiles, anything anyone can do to #GetJonathanPrinslooHome
He is such an amazing young man who has so much potential. Just from hearing about his life, I could see that Jonathan Prinsloo is ready to live the life God has set before him.”
The post has been shared with thousands of people who are all trying to reunite the family. The story is so important as it shows exactly what is true when it comes to people living on the streets.
Good Things Guy recently interviewed Francesco Rizzuto – another young man who was living on the streets – and he revealed how he got off them.
“People living on the street are no different from you and me. And I promise you, if you can be kind and give love to a homeless person then they can become productive members of society. They just need to be seen, and it’s our duty to see them.”
We will update the story as soon as we have some more news on getting “Jonathan Prinsloo Home”.
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