Kids Haven uplifts young man

Growing up in a shelter with no alternative lifestyle in mind has motivated John Mkabane, a former Kids Haven beneficiary to make good use of his environment to improve his life.

The 26-year-old, who has lived most of his life at Kids Haven, has praised the society for nurturing and empowering him to be the independent man he is today.

John started living at Kids Haven in 2011 when he was 14, after living an unruly lifestyle that revolved around violence and theft.

“The first time I heard about Kids Haven was when they had an outreach in Barcelona where I lived with my mother and siblings.

“Sam Mokgopha, who was the assistant director then, advised me to come live at Kids Haven so that I can attend school,” he said.

“At that time, I was a naughty child. I preferred living on the streets to being in school.”

When he moved to Kids Haven, John was enrolled at a primary school in Wattville where he did Grade Five.

His academic journey was, however, short-lived as he decided to pull out of school.

He admits that he didn’t have direction in his life at the time and took things for granted.

“I felt like being in a shelter was like being in prison. I felt like I was being punished because I couldn’t go or do whatever I wanted at my own time,” said John.

However, in 2012 John’s life took a turn when his mother died.

He started seeing life differently and was forced to ‘man up’.

John then pleaded to be given a second chance to go to school.

“My mother died as a result of a stroke. She had a three-month-old baby. The baby was taken to another shelter while my other two siblings, aged four and eight, came to Kids Haven.”

Since living in Kids Haven, John has acquired numerous certificates in skills programmes and has taken part in various internships and learnerships.

One of his best achievements so far is that he holds two president’s awards for youth empowerment.

These are a Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa and former President Jacob Zuma.

John has also rubbed shoulders with local celebrities at these presidential awards ceremonies.

Through his resilient spirit and determination, John is living independently in Barcelona and is in a process of obtaining his matric certificate.

He is on a probationary employment period with a sports outlet in Boksburg.

According to Leonard Ngobene, Kids Haven youth care worker, the aftercare and youth skills programme at Kids Haven has reached out to many young people who have gone on to become successful in life.

“The programme supports children and youth who leave in-care and return home or to their communities.

“Aftercare continues indefinitely until the young adult can be fully independent and live a stable life,” Leonard explained.

He added that they place young people in skills development programmes and employment to prepare them for the outside world.

Kids Haven also has 510 home-based food gardens in communities.

John’s message to the youth is: “Losing a parent is one of the most difficult phases anyone can go through.

“After experiencing that pain, do you want it to kill you or motivate you to become someone in life without your parents?

“The choices you make must work for you and not against you.”

To find out more about the Aftercare Youth Skills Programme at Kids Haven contact 011 421 4222.

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