Co-founder and director of Soul Outreach Community Upliftment Centre Martina Stickling (44) lives in Brakpan Central. She has one child and two grandchildren.
• Tell us about your early life and school years?
I was born in Meyerton. I lived in Springs till 1980 then moved to Krugersdorp. I went to Laerskool Luipaardsvlei and matriculated at Hoërskool Bastion in Witpoortjie.
• What is special about Soul Outreach?
Soul Outreach gives back dignity and pride. It teaches how to be honest, it doesn’t matter how much it hurts. One can only help when you are honest and truthful, you can’t help others when they are not honest.
• What are your duties?
I am the co-founder and director but I do the overall managing of Soul Outreach.
• What would you like to achieve in your presence there?
I would like to make a difference in other people’s lives. People don’t remember what you said and what you did, but they always remember how you made them feel. Each person that comes to Soul Outreach is broken and we mend them to stand up again. I want Soul Outreach to grow and be able to open another upliftment centre.
• What, according to you, is Brakpan’s best quality?
The people in the community that help, support and stand together. People who are not expecting anything back when they give.
• What wisdom would you like to share with others?
A good life is when you assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, dream big, laugh a lot and realise how blessed you are.
• What would you say is your best quality?
Staying true to myself in what I say and do through the love of God.
• What do you do in your free time?
Getting out in nature, connecting with Mother Earth. Taking a hike in the hills of Heidelberg and clearing my mind.
• Where do you like to go on holiday?
I haven’t taken a holiday in many years, but I love the ocean.
