Left for dead after a robbery… this South African picked up the pieces and created a successful business helping himself, while also helping children in his community.
Cosmo City, South Africa – Everything happens for a reason, and sometimes that reason will set you on a new path that will change the lives of others too.
Last year this time Sirr Gabriel was working as a security guard, earning R100 for a 12 hour shift but on the 9th of March 2018, the South Africa was robbed on his way to work… left to die on the side of the road with stab wounds, a broken arm and a sense of helplessness.
“The men in blue responded in a way that as much as I was bleeding and losing energy I felt hope coming back. Unfortunately the ambulance never came, and I waited for over an hour and a half… luckily my brother came and rushed me to hospital.”
Once he got the help he needed and started his long road to recovery, Gabriel realised that he would no longer be able to perform his duties as a security guard with a broken limb. He was also unsure who would hire him in that state and his biggest worry became survival without employment.
He had rent to worry about and he knew he had to find a way to feed himself and his family.
“Instead of feeling sorry for myself I choose to change my mindset, I had to hire myself!”
Having done well academically, Gabriel knew that this was his tool to becoming successful and decided that would use his skills to create employment for himself. He knew that the kids in his community needed after school care and help with school work so he decided to create a safe space where he could offer this.
The passionate South African started out with just 10 children… and a year later the “Sir Gabriel Centre for Excellence” has over 100 kids in his after school care and employs 8 Tutors as well.
“The program helps to keep the kids off the streets after school and gives them a habit of studying at the same time. The parents have also seen an improvement of their school work!”
Gabriel has opened two centres in Cosmo City and has planned 6 more centres in Diepsloot, Honeydew, Berea, Turfontein and another in Cosmo city ext 8.
“Kids should be guided and taught to value themselves, so that they keep away from drugs, crime and teenage pregnancy. At Sir Gabriel Centre for Excellence we are working to instil that to our children so that they can become the future leaders of South Africa.”
For more information about the centre, click here.
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