‘Cradle feels empty without her’
"In my life I have never experienced the feeling of loss and heartache like with the death of Michelle."
With tears in her eyes and her voice shaking, CEO and founder of The Cradle of Hope, an organisation for vulnerable woman and children, Melodie van Brakel talked about the tragic passing of her first success story, Michelle Mbua.
Michelle, 42, died of a heart attack in her sleep on 20 October and was the first proud graduate of The Cradle back in 2009.
“She was the most amazing person, the strongest I have ever met, she was simply legend,” Melodie said while her eyes filled with tears of joy.
Michelle, who worked as a prostitute and was a heroin addict, joined The Cradle family in 2009, where she started her road to recovery and kept clean for six years, as there is usually not much hope for heroin addicts.
Loyal, hardworking, loud, fun loving, persistent are just a few words used by The Cradle family to describe the woman who had been an inspiration and motivation for many others who have walked in her shoes.
At the age of 30 Michelle lost her way and wondered down a destructive path of prostitution and drug abuse, where she spent seven years working the streets to support her habit. Then Michelle took back her life when she decided that no-one will ever take her child away from her, not even her family.
“She was so amazing, when she stepped into the house of restoration, she brought hope to so many people. Everybody’s lives were deeply touched by her.”
Melodie described Michelle as a close sister figure in her life with whom she shared four close years together.
“In my life I have never experienced the feeling of loss and heartache like with the death of Michelle.”
Michelle will be laid to rest on 30 October at 11am at the AFM Church in Noordheuwel.
“In difficult times, Michelle carried me. I cannot begin to explain how much I loved that girl.”
Since her passing a fund was set up for Michelle’s daughter who she left behind.
For more information visit https://www.gofundme.com/kh72hx6a or contact The Cradle of Hope on 011 660 4623.
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