Michelle switched on her phone yesterday and was inundated with encouraging messages, airtime vouchers, grocery vouchers and e-wallets.. the mom said it felt like she had won the lotto. South Africa has collectively changed a mom’s life!
Johannesburg, South Africa (09 March 2023) – They say in times of tragedy, we need to look for the helpers, but if we can’t see one, then we need to be one… and South Africans have stepped up to the plate and collectively changed a mom’s life after her story went viral yesterday.
Michelle had everything – a husband, a home, and a plan to make it big overseas but her family found themselves sleeping in a friend’s car at night while trying to survive the days.
“The three of us have been sleeping in a friend’s car in Yeoville since the beginning of January. He parks it in a parking garage at night and gives us the key so that we can charge our phone with the ignition on and then we sleep there.”.
“Once upon a time, I had a job, I had friends, a house, a husband, and two sons. In 2018 my husband and I had plans. We were going to move to Dubai. My health had taken a turn, though. I was bleeding a lot and had seen several doctors who suspected I had fibroids. I told my husband to go ahead to Dubai with our youngest son Richard and that I would follow him with our other son Isaiah when I was a bit stronger.”
The time that followed was straight out of a nightmare.
“I got very sick. I saw many doctors with conflicting diagnoses. I found out that my husband had another woman, and he never came back to South Africa and never sent for Isaiah and me.”
“I have a name” originally shared the mom’s story with a plea for help and in less than 48 hours, Michelle and her kids are on a new life path.
Michelle switched on her phone yesterday and was inundated with encouraging messages, airtime vouchers, grocery vouchers and e-wallets.. the mom said it felt like she had won the lotto. She also has five interviews lined up this week and it looks like they have found a safe living space which they will move into on the weekend.
Tshepang has been registered and started school this morning – the “I have a name” and “Project Purpose” teams bought all the stationary, books and a uniform to ensure he was ready. The young scholar is beyond excited to get back to learning. The team is still exploring options for Isaiah, but this is the first time he has had opportunities. Michelle and the team are visiting a few schools today to get him back to learning as well.
“The donations that have been pouring in. And you have made this all possible – you are all amazing! I am just absolutely blown away by the outpouring of love and support for this family! As is Michelle! She was in tears and so grateful! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“There is good in this world and country. South Africa is broken by a few but magnificent by many.”
by 