GALLERY: Power-house women change lives

The strength and selflessness of the powerful yet often unseen, society changing women in our midst, was celebrated at Vision 153‘s inaugural Women with Vision breakfast at Zucca in Simbithi last Friday.

“As women we are natural nurturers and when we give love we are fulfilled,” said Vision 153’s PRO Nelia Hulin.

She said the heart behind the breakfast was to encourage women to “leverage what you have, so that together we can be a force for good”.

Hulin shared her own story with vulnerability and raw honesty.

“Before joining Vision 153, I was in a high powered job that I loathed, and it was killing me. I was heading for divorce and my children did not know me. I was married to my job.”

But she clung to a belief that she was “called to something more”.

Hulin said she came to a point where she realised she could no longer let money dictate her life.

“Working for a job title and big paycheck no longer cut it for me.”

But joining the charity was not without its own heartache.

Going into the township armed with Christmas gifts and being met by hungry children who had not eaten for days was an eye-opener to her.

“I learned that more than good intentions it is crucial to ensure that we are putting our energy into projects that really help people.”

Vision 153 distributes food to the destitute, orphans, widows and child-headed households in Stanger, Groutville, Etete, Shakaskraal, Salt Rock, Tongaat, Westbrook and Verulam.

But despite the desperateness of the situation they are faced with daily, Hulin said there is much to be celebrated.

She highlighted a few of the women they have come across who were truly lights in the darkness.

Abigail Cebisa was one of those women, and while she could not attend the breakfast, her friend Gretha Bentley, told her story.

Many years ago Bentley was one of the women who trained Abigail in a pre-school project in Nkobongo. When that project closed down Bentley wondered if all the work they had put into training the teachers had been for nought.

Yet Abigail surprised everyone by opening her own school in her home, because the need was so great.

“The children are thriving and she is making a real difference in their young lives,”said Bentley.

Hulin ended the breakfast by challenging the women to go out and make a difference within their spheres of influence.

“We need to ask ourselves: What can we do with what we have?”

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