Child-headed family from Mankweng gets help
The Department of Social Development was alerted to the plight of a family of five children after a good Samaritan contacted Bonus.
10POLOKWANE – A family of five children from Mentz are forced to fend for themselves to make ends meet.
Five siblings lost their parents a few years ago and the eldest daughter is now the primary caregiver to her four siblings as well as a neighbour’s child, who also lost her parents.
The girl told BONUS that they had no other family members to rely on after their parents’ death and she decided to take on the role of providing for her family.
“I share my daily household responsibilities with my siblings and they help me do dishes, wash clothes and clean the house. As the eldest, I have to make sure they are taken care of,” she said.
Their neighbour, Makhene Makhene said he noticed the children live alone and that he tries by all means to help them. At times he ropes the community in to help with food and essentials.
“The path the family is on is not easy compared to children with parents who have support and guidance available to them at all times. The young girl does everything she can for the kids and tries to get them food whenever she can. That’s why I decided to take matters into my own hands to assist them,” Makhene said.
The girl said despite no stable income in the home, the children still manage to attend school. “I believe one should never give up, regardless of the circumstances you come across because you never know what the future holds. Right now, all we can do is pray and ask for donations of any kind,” she said.
BONUS alerted the Department of Social Development of the situation and spokesperson Witness Tiva said a social worker had been assigned to assist the family. “The social worker will conduct an assessment for possible intervention and provide a report on how we can assist them going forward,” he said.
Makhene confirmed that the social worker had been in touch and that he and the girl had been to the department’s offices. “Thank you to BONUS, this family now has hope,” he said.
