Kids Haven reunion inspires new generation
Every year former Kids Haven children visit the organisation to share their stories and successes.
This year’s gathering was held on Saturday, September 12, at Kids Haven.
This reunion gives current residents an opportunity to learn and to be inspired to change their own circumstances.
Sibongile Magaguala, a Kids Haven employee, said the get-together also allows the organisation to check up on former children from the home.
One of the former residents is Majaha Mthethwa.
He was born and raised in Swaziland and, at the age of 12, after the death of his grandmother, he was told to leave his home and to fend for himself.
Mthethwa travelled to Johannesburg and spent a number of months sleeping on the streets.
“A lady then took me to a home called “All Stars”, in Kempton Park,” he said.
“We never went to school when we stayed there.”
His luck changed when he was moved to Kids Haven.
From then he was able to attend school and matricluated from Etwatwa High School in 1998.
Mthethwa left Kids Haven and studied IT and PC support at Damelin College.
He went on to start his own company and employs a number of people.
Mthethwa said being raised at Kids Haven gave him an opportunity to study and meet a number of important people, such as Nelson Mandela.
“I am grateful for the help I received from Kids Haven,” he said.
Many of the former residents shared similar stories of inspiration with the new generation of Kids Haven children.
