Women encouraged by women
Several other women spoke at the event, including Doddy Buthelezi (founder of a woman ministry), Julie Moodley (founder Hand in Hand abused women support), Ulita Billings (chairperson for Reiger Park cancer support group) and Roxanne Maistry (founder of Who Told You).
It was a day of love, empowerment, encouragement and hope for women who attended the Women on the Rise empowerment spring launch recently.
The event, which was hosted by Rochelle Moodley, in partnership with the UJ Development Centre, had several speakers who shared their stories and words of encouragement to help single and abused women, and women fighting cancer.
Through the programme, held at the Dan Patrick House in Western Extension, Rochelle aimed to educate, equip and empower women through her foundations – Women on the Rise Empowerment, UJ Generation and the Forgotten Foundation.
“I stand as a woman who has faced many challenges, but I am here to tell you that God came through for me,” she said.
“I had to sell my belongings to make ends meet, but there is a God who throws a lifeline when you feel like you cannot cope anymore.”
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She explained that she also faced trials personally; when her husband was an alcoholic they were evicted from their home and children got into trouble at various times.
“The only way to stand is when you fall to your knees in prayer,” she said.
Seema Naidoo, editor and founder of Hope to Heal magazine, was also present at the event.
“I was supposed to die, my life was a big party,” Seema said as she started her speech.
Life seemed great to her, until she had taken ill and sought medical help.
“During my treatment, my husband left me and I had to reach out to God,” she said.
“This was when I began to search for God; He spoke to me in my trying times.”
Seema said while she was in hospital, she was not allowed to move, but she needed the bathroom and she refused to be a victim to her illness.
“I stood up and I walked to the bathroom,” she said as guests began to clap.
“Many suffer and because they think that nobody is there for them they feel alone.
“Nobody is alone; God is always there, even in your darkest moments.”
She encouraged the women to talk to someone when they feel like their challenges are bigger than themselves.
