By Debbie Kruger | Project Leader
Since my last report relating to the project of the Red Shoe Workshop, we have experienced some amazing changes in the lives of some of those ladies that participated in the workshop.
I would like to actually mention Zoleka Siko. She was the lady that moved out so soon after the workshop, and decided to start up on her own with her children.
Normally, we have found, that as soon as life gets difficult for these ladies on their own, they tend to return to their abusive husbands and give up on the prospect of making life work on their own.
Zoleka is the exception to the rule. She has moved into a better home than the shack that she initially got, and has electricity too.
We have been aiding her as far as possible with furniture and most of the goodies for her kitchen where donated by our bookkeeper, Pauline Edeling.
She is out of her traditional wear that she is supposed to wear as a married Xhosa lady, and is wearing short skirts, makeup and is really looking lovely.
She has got a blush of life that spreads throughout the girls in the centre.
This is one of the cases that makes it worth the effort that we put in to assist them on the road to independence.
Unfortunately, Ursula went back to her husband, and last week, was physically abused so badly that she had to stay at home for a week.
She got back to the centre this morning, and the physical evidence is still very prominent on her face and body. BUT, we will not give up! We will once again, try our best to make her realize that this is NOT normal. After 20 years of abuse, she thinks that she deserves this type of life. With the help of our social workers, we will try to get her to complete her programme with Phambile, the safe haven for battered wives. This is only three months long, and if she successfully can complete it, she should be able to make the life changing decisions necessary.
Thank you all for your support and help with the training of these poor ladies. They need all the funds that can be received as well as the moral support of the people in the world, carrying her in their hearts and in their prayers.
By Debbie Kruger | Project Leader
By Debbie Kruger | Project Leader
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