Good Morning Angels: Home of Hope brings hope to girls without any
An estimated 10,000 children, some as young as twelve, are currently working as prostitutes in Johannesburg - and the number is increasing.
BACKGROUND:
Founded in 2000 by Khanyisile Motsa, and run under her diligent care ever since, Home of Hope for Girls is an autonomous, self-started initiative to provide real care for exploited, trafficked, and abused children in the city of Johannesburg.
It is more than just a residential shelter; it is a loving home where dignity is restored, the past is healed, and the girls are given the tools to take control of their futures.
Home of Hope also reaches out to the community, offering the most vulnerable members support, practical help, and a lifeline.
Over the past 18 years, Mam’ Khanyi has saved 8,000 girls from a life of forced prostitution and drug peddling on the streets of Johannesburg. According to Mam’ Khanyi, most of these girls are orphans or “unwanted” children with no care, lured to the city by unscrupulous agents for pimps and drug-dealers.
Currently, 40 girls are in Home of Hope Kensington’s care. The house was donated to Mam’ Khanyi by FNB, but paying the municipal bills and providing food, school transport, and everything else a growing child needs is a monthly battle paid for by donors and the income the home raises by selling home-baked goods and candles.
A team of volunteers, individuals, and companies have been the primary support for Mam’ Khanyi and Home of Hope.
Home of Hope works towards a safer and more beneficial neighbourhood for the young people who live there. This means creating an environment where the pimps and drug-dealers no longer rule the streets. They work closely with the South African Police Service and other welfare organisations to root out intimidation and abuse. They also provide immediate relief for children at risk and set in motion legal action for those posing the threats.
Also Read: Grizelda Grootboom’s escape from sex slavery
An integral part of Home of Hope’s rehabilitation programme is ensuring that each child in their care receives an education and/or skills training that will enable them to earn a living without being dependent on exploiters for food and shelter. This way, many young girls have become self-supporting and contributing members of society.
On Wednesday morning, two of these remarkable young women will share their story with Good Morning Angels on Breakfast with Martin Bester.
Both girls were “saved” from the street life by Mam’ Khanyi when they were 13. One completed her LLB in 2015 and is now working for a big JHB firm and the other is completing her honours degree in Econometrics, after last year obtaining her degree in mathematical science.
The shocking truth about these forgotten children:
- Criminals pay agents to recruit children
- They usually target orphans or/and those from very disadvantaged rural communities
- Victims are trafficked or seduced to leave with lies about a life in the city
- Their IDs are taken from them to make escape and identification difficult
- Their health is compromised and they are not given proper care
- ‘Owned’ by their exploiters they are prostituted, abused, made to use and sell drugs
REQUEST FOR: Mam’ Khanyi Motsa - founder of Home of Hope
ANGEL 1: Theresa Griffiths from KTH
SPONSORING: Food and groceries
ANGEL 2: Round Table
SPONSORING: 40 sets of bedding consisting of: 1 pillow, pillow case, fitted sheet, comforter
ANGEL 3: KLA and 13-year old Jemma Hendricks
SPONSORING: Sanitary towels and deodorant for each girl
ANGEL 4: Purple Carrot
SPONSORING: 50 inspirational lockets and chains (R400 - R500 each) for each of the girls
ANGEL 5: Ernst Lambrecht from Wiphold Women Empowerment organisation
SPONSORING: Two brand new computers, with all the bells and whistles and tech support, for Home of Hope