Unexpected encounter changes lives
Even if you don’t believe in fate or destiny, it is undeniable that this chance meeting was a defining moment in Nicole’s life that irrevocably shaped her future.
Estella Naicker
A surprise encounter in a church kitchen nearly four-years ago completely changed the course of Nicole Els’ life.
Even if you don’t believe in fate or destiny, it is undeniable that this chance meeting was a defining moment in Nicole’s life that irrevocably shaped her future.
On that fateful night, a quiet rustling sound in the Freedom Life Church kitchen had drawn the attention of the youth group that held its meetings in the church hall.
“I was a member of the church youth group and we knew that we were the only people who were supposed to be on the premises so we were alarmed when we heard a sound coming from the kitchen,” said Nicole.
The group approached the kitchen cautiously to investigate the possibility that there was an intruder in the building. When Nicole walked into the kitchen, what she saw would change her forever. She would never be able to get the image out of her head.
Snug and warm in a fluffy pink onesy, a two-year-old little girl was mindfully engaged in the painstakingly important task of neatly unpacking the cupboard of plastic containers.
The little girl gave Nicole and the other members of the youth group an indignant stare for breaking her concentration before continuing to stack plastic containers neatly on the floor beside the cupboard.
“I don’t know how she did it, but the child had somehow managed to escape from the Children’s Home, which was on the same premises, and had snuck into the kitchen. She was the cutest little thing and I really believe that God sent her. I offered to take her back to the children’s home and when I got there, all the children ran to me. They were so excited to have a visitor.
“That was my matric year and up until that point, I had no idea what I was going to do with my life after school. That night, I applied to study toward a Bachelor in Social Work degree at Tuks. It was the only application I sent. I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of life making sure that children like those, who are abandoned, abused and neglected, were given the love and care they need to have the future they deserve.”
This year, Nicole completed her studies.
“Over the past four years, it has been heartbreaking to see the worst of the worst in the world. To be exposed to the stuff that nightmares are made of. You don’t want to believe that stuff like this can happen. But, I feel better knowing that now I can take action. I may not be able to take away the pain, but I now have the tools that will allow me to make it a little better.”
Nicole volunteered at the Inkululeko Children’s Home at least once a week for the rest of her matric year and as often as she could while she was completing her university study.
When she returned home from university three weeks ago, she set about organising a Wellness Day to teach the children at Inkululeko the importance of dental hygiene (with the help of Dr Blignaut and the Uberdent team), healthy eating and exercise.
House mother, Maria Timm, commended Nicole for offering the children life skills that they can use in the future.
“I would like to encourage all residents to be all that they can be. Be aware of what you can do to make a difference in someone else’s life. Be nice to your cashier, your waiter, and, especially, to your children. Life is short. It is too short to lose yourself in material things. Focus on things that really mean something,” concluded Nicole.
Want to make a difference this festive season? Here are some things that are needed at Inkululeko Children’s Home:
– School uniforms for Harpo and Nardini,
– Non-perishable food,
– Nappies,
– Formula,
– Toiletries,
– Bread,
– Cots,
– An industrial washing machine
– A tumble dryer.
