Desiree Moonsamy was born in Pietermaritzburg and relocated to Howick where she matriculated in 1990. Desiree went on to study nursing further.  After parting ways with a certain class mate whom she “despised” she happened to bump into him, and soon learnt that they were both furthering their studies in nursing. With a glowing smile Desiree tells how she met the love of her life, it’s clear she enjoys telling her love story. “We soon became friends and our friendship grew. A year later we got married, and thereafter bore our eldest daughter.”

As the saying goes every love story has its ups and downs. The newly married couple soon learnt that the hardest way possible. After giving birth to their second bundle of joy, she tragically passed away.The loss left the family disheartened, and eventually drove the family into a state of depression. The thought of having another child never crossed Desiree’s mind. Until a miracle baby boy was born a few years later. He brought the family joy in abundance. The family will always remember the tragic incident. “If your daughter had survived the incident she would’ve been brain dead,” these are the words a doctor had said to the family at the time of the incident, which replay in Desiree’s mind like a stuck record.

At the time Desiree worked at a hospital for children with physical disabilities. After receiving the news from the doctor it made Desiree more passionate about caring for children with physical disabilities. Over the years Desiree’s colleagues have come to know she had “something special” within her, and encouraged her to utilise that the best way she knew how.Desiree was once again relocated, this time to Estcourt. It was then it became evident to Desiree that no local facility offered services for children with physical disabilities and learning disorders. After re-registering a Non Profit Organisation (NPO), Project Life came to life and gave hope to many children.Project Life is an educational facility that caters for the therapeutic and rehabilitation needs of children who suffer from learning disorders or physical disabilities.

Many now refer to Desiree as a “God sent angel on earth.”Children with learning disabilities and physical disabilities have been labelled “the rejects” and Desiree was driven to prove that these children have the potential. She firmly believes that with patience and lots of love and support her students have the ABILITY and not the dis-ablity. One of Desree’s students, on his arrival, had a shattered self-esteem and with time he has become a fine young gentleman, who progressed through to the next grade with distinctions in all his learning areas.

Project Life recently celebrated their one-year anniversary. Many may recall that Project Life hosted the Community Woman of the Year event last year in September. Project Life plans on hosting yet another such event, Desiree and her pupils thought it would be a nice way to thank the woman within the community of Estcourt who make the town a better place.”My students and I have created our own little world, and it has become a home away from home,” said Desiree with a spark in her eye. If you would like to make a donation to Project life in 38 Elizabeth Avenue, contact Desiree on 073 96 027 38.