In 1973 Karen Prinsloo’s Pietermaritzburg-based parents warmly welcomed her into this world as their first born at Grey’s Hospital.
Growing up it was just Karen and her little brother who now lives in Australia. “I never really wanted more siblings, I was happy with what I was blessed with,” explains Karen.

She recalls attending Carter High School and after matriculating, she went on to study Food Service Management at the Natal Teknion.
Karen did some admin work for companies to get herself going, when she met the love of her life, Gary Botha, in 2009 and moved to Johannesburg. Last year in February, Karen and her family made their way to Estcourt, due to Gary’s career.

Karen is a warm-hearted, bubbly person who loves to help others in any way she can. Karen is passionate about charity work. “I remember as a child when my mother donated goods to the hospice charity shop were we lived at the time,” reminisced Karen. In 2011 Karen volunteered to work at the East Rand Children’s Home two times a week and helped the little children with things such as homework.

Karen adores children, but due to a medical condition, she is unable to have children and said that, if it weren’t for her condition she doesn’t think she would have the passion and drive to volunteer at children’s homes and contribute to charity as much as she does. Karen is currently on the Ikwezi Crèche and Care Centre board as well as the Hospice Association board and is a member of the Fundraising 2015 Team. She manages the new Hospice Charity Shop in Victoria Street, which she is extremely proud of. After just a month of opening its doors, R7843.10 has been raised for the Estcourt Hospice Association.

Karen previously also volunteered her services at other charity shops and added that this isn’t all new to her. “I love that the Estcourt community is so caring and accommodating, I love the authentic mix of personalities as well as the weather,” expressed Karen with a smile. “Estcourt is the perfect example of what a community should be,” she added. Karen’s mother has a huge impact of her life, and Karen believes not only has her mom taught her to be charitable but she got her love for craft from her as well.

Karen enjoys making soaps, stuffed hearts, bead work buntings and knitting among many others. It’s not just her talent and passion but it also gives her a sense of relaxation and achievement. Within the next five years Karen would like to still be healthy and happy while doing as much as possible for charity and encouraging others to do the same.

The motto Karen lives by is: “I used to cry because I had no shoes until I saw a man with no feet.” Which boils down to always being grateful for what you have, as there are others worse off than yourself. Karen would like to thank the community for embracing her family with a warm welcome when they first arrived in town and further thanks for not letting that embrace die out after being here for a year and few months.