POLOKWANE – From Lebowakgomo Zone F, Phophi said she had always wanted to become a social worker and even though she had a change of heart about her career later in life, it didn’t stop her from contributing positively to society.
“Growing up we’d donate clothes and food to others in need and we would accommodate children whose parents were going through a divorce,” Phophi said.
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She attended primary school at Eureka Primary School in Lebowakgomo and high school at Northern Academy in Polokwane. She then moved to Pretoria and completed her matric at SA College Private School in 2009.
She proceeded to Damelin College in Braamfontein to study a diploma in public relations, graduating in 2013. While in Braamfontein, Phophi volunteered at Christ Church Christian Care Centre in Hillbrow. “My friend and I would help with feeding the children, reading books and playing with them,” she said.
She added that every time they had to leave the centre it would break their hearts. “I remember these twin boys around the age of five who would always cry when I had to leave. I’d always say a little prayer in my heart and ask God to bless me financially so that I can one day come back and adopt them,” she said.
It was around that time when she decided to open a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), the Yeshouse (taken from their church ‘Yahweh Shaback House’) Drop-in Centre where she works with four other volunteers, Tebogo Kekana, Modipadi Masemola, Rose Cheche and Philistus Matlakala at the home based centre at church in Zone F Lebowakgomo.
The centre was founded and registered in 2015 but started functioning in 2017. At the centre they assist Gr 1 to 4 learners with homework, giving them food, playing sports and games as well as supervised free play.
Phophi added that she ventured into modelling after she was inspired by the good work by former pageant queens.
“I saw it as a great platform as social service is something I’m passionate about, however, I stopped with the modelling field in 2011.”
She said she later realised that one can still do great things right where you are and she could still wear her invisible crown every day. “I don’t have to wait to be a brand ambassador to contribute positively, so I just sparkled on, right where I was, with what I had. That’s when the centre and Esther’s Chamber came to life. Within Esther’s Chamber we have collected sanitary towels which were donated to young girls,” she said.
Follow Phophi on Instagram and Facebook; visit her website or send an e-mail to info@yeshousedropincentre.co.za.
