Moroke speaks about the life on the streets: a place to call home
The 25-year-old considers the shelter to be her temporary home after they were rounded up by Social Development to provide them with shelter as a matter of urgency amid lockdown.
The Coen Scholtz Recreation Centre in Birchleigh North was identified as one of the four temporary homeless shelters in Ekurhuleni.
Lerato Moroke (25), a beneficiary at the centre, is eager to change the narrative of being homeless.
The 25-year-old considers the shelter to be her temporary home after they were rounded up by Social Development to provide them with shelter as a matter of urgency amid lockdown.
The homeless are provided with food, water, blankets, dignity packs which contain sanitary pads, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, a facecloth, hand sanitiser, first-aid kits, gloves and mask.
The facility has showers, Wi-Fi, toilets and electricity.
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Moroke defines being homeless as a world in itself and different from what most people know.
“It is hard to explain,” she said as she spoke with Express about her personal experiences being a homeless woman.
“I had no brothers or sisters, and after my mother died I was left with a decision to either live with my grandmother or stay with my mother’s sister, who was living in Johannesburg.
“It was then decided by the elders that I must move to the city where I was told I will finish school.
“When we left Lesotho and I arrived in Johannesburg things took a turn for the worst. What was promised was never delivered. “I was not allowed to do what children my age at the time were doing.
“My decision to leave was not impulsive. I left as I felt unwanted and found it too painful. I then stayed with my friend and her family in their home, which was a tavern. I was sexually assaulted and opened a case with the police.
“I stood alone during the rape case – nobody bothered to attend court with me. I even asked the magistrate to help with transport to and from court.
“Next it was human trafficking. I met a man pretending to love me. He would get angry if I did not take drugs – he would get furious. I was in prostitution and he took all the money and he gave me drugs. I never had freedom.
“One day the Hawks found me on the streets. This car stopped and the door opened. My friend was inside the car and shouted to me to get in.
“I later realised they were police. I was intoxicated and under the influence of drugs. I begged the officers to take me home but they refused and instead they took us to a safe place just to sleep.
“In the morning, when I came to my senses, I thanked them for saving my life. From there I went to a safe house in Pretoria, where I met other girls with similar or scarier stories than mine.
“Since my stay at this shelter, I’ve completely let go of drugs. I want to change my life and change my story. My goal is now to get an ID so that I can find employment.
“I have healed from everything. I’m thankful I’m still alive and now I am stronger,” said Moroke.
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