A ‘mom’ in a million
“There have been many trials and tribulations but also many rewards at St Mary’s and all the children feel like mine. I like to think I’ve made a small difference in their lives,” she added.
SONJA Harmse, director of St Mary’s Home, said she always wanted to be a social worker “when she grew up” but her father didn’t want her to follow her dream, so after matriculating she went to university in Pretoria and then UJ, and studied food technology. Not long after she realised this wasn’t for her and began studying social work and psychology, attaining her honours.
After that she did short-term business and management courses and began what she calls her actual career at Sterkfontein Hospital. “I wasn’t there for very long and moved to a home for unmarried mothers in Observatory where I stayed for nearly six years. “I loved it, helping the girls through a difficult time in their lives and assisting them when they went into labour. My position was live-in so I was with them day and night. I saw many, many babies brought into this world. I also went with them to court when their baby was in the process of being adopted. I always said, it’s not the bad girls who fell pregnant while unmarried but the naïve ones, and to me it was if they were the beautiful packaging who kept the baby safe until it was born and was adopted. I’ve kept in touch with a many of my ‘girls’”, she said.
After leaving the home she worked as a field social worker for the Department of Social Development, moving on to the Welfare Planning Department, where she was involved with the inspection of crèches, children’s homes and old age homes. “In 1996 while I was in this job I became a representative on the Board of St Mary’s Children’s Home and Cotlands and met my predecessor, Ann Botha, who was the director of St Mary’s. Ann had such a beautiful soul and when she approached me to become her assistant director, through prayer and her insight I accepted the job in 1998, taking over as director when Ann left in 2000.
“There have been many trials and tribulations but also many rewards at St Mary’s and all the children feel like mine. I like to think I’ve made a small difference in their lives,” she added.
Sonja says people are very important to her in her life and she’s met some wonderful people along the way. “Some have been difficult to work with but good always wins and I’ve had the joy of living out my faith in my profession. I always say if people don’t believe in God they need to spend a few days at St Mary’s!”
Loving life
Sonja loves flowers and animals and has a very soft spot for seniors. “I had the privilege of having my granny live with us until she turned 96 years old and I also live with my mom. She’s not too well now and ‘my’ children enquire about her every day.
“I like socialising and have some life-long dear friends. I also enjoy reading and music. The only exercise I do is with my mouth, eating chocolate! I love creating things and really enjoy decorating children’s rooms. Buying and giftwrapping presents is a real thrill for me and I always put the extra effort in.
“I’ve learnt through hardships we aren’t thankful for the little things and it is the little things that count. Life is a blessing and very short. People think they can’t do small things for others because it won’t matter but with each little thing you do, it is more special than you will ever know.”
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Tireless hard work ensures St Mary’s Home runs smoothly
Matrix doing it for St Mary’s Children’s Home
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