Since 2011, Pomona resident Siobhan McCrory has been a saving grace to many desperate Kempton Park residents.
“I haven’t been able to help my people on the street in a while and the endless calls begging for even one meal is gut-wrenching. One of my girls on the street is pregnant and I had to get her out of a drug house this week to make sure the baby is fine. I have also been helping at Kitty and Puppy Haven to at least do something that keeps my mind busy.”
She told Express her business is international travel and inbound tourism, which means there is a slim chance that income will be generated in the foreseeable future.
“It breaks my heart as so many people rely on me. I have come to a point where my overdraft is maxed, my credit cards are maxed and my last savings will be finished by the end of this month.”
Her journey started nine years ago, as she was unable to have children of her own.
“The waiting list for adoption was ridiculous, like 10 years. A social worker suggested foster care and I said you must be mad. Why would I take in a child and then give it back
“But as the months passed and she and her husband contemplated, they realised they both come from amazing families.
“We have never known struggle, we have never known abuse or been exposed to the scary truths like so many others out there.
“As the broken children came and left (and some stayed and never left), Siobhan realised they needed to change the source – the parents.
“I made an effort to get to know the parents of these children, understanding why and how they were in their positions and what we could do together to change their paths. I understood they were not bad people at all. There is no doubt they make horrible decisions and have bad habits but deep down they’re still people who in some way or another have been failed by their own parents or families.
“Many are so deep in their addictions and have endured the most horrific things but they’re still people with a heart inside. Sometimes all they need is to know there is someone who actually cares for them as people, who doesn’t judge but who is willing to take ten minutes out of their day to have a cup of coffee with them and get to know them.”
Siobhan has been helping these parents and homeless, and has offered sponsorship for their rehabilitation to be reunited with their children.Through hard work, sacrifices and selflessness, she has helped many addicted parents and homeless accomplish a makeover in their lives and attitudes.
