Woman left empowered after motivational breakfast

Originally from Saldanha in the Western Cape, Jacqueline Bowers Bester (46) moved to Ikageng three months ago, hoping to start a new life for herself and her children. Originally from Saldanha in the Western Cape, Jacqueline Bowers Bester (46) moved to Ikageng three months ago, hoping to start a new life for herself and her children.

Jackie was involved in volunteer community outreach programmes in Saldanha for the past nine years. “We focused on changing the mindset of women and children through positivity and endless possibilities. Society negatively influences our emotional well-being and development and we aim to change that,” she said. Jackie decided to carry on the good work in her newfound community.

She started with a motivational breakfast, where women between the ages of 16 and 65 years came together to discuss different issues and ways of overcoming the obstacles. “It aimed to share knowledge and empower women and community members to stand up for their rights and raise their voices. Many give up when things get tough and they don’t get help,” Jackie said.

During the breakfast, she and the women present focused on burning issues like emotions and abuse, maintenance challenges and school-fee exemption. “Although most women hadn’t experienced maintenance challenges, they learnt that there is a 10 per cent increase every year,” she said. “But, when we discussed school fee exemptions, there was a lot of interest. The guests did not know that their children could attend certain schools for free. “The women discovered that every child has the right to good education at a government school. You can apply for a school fee exemption.

The Sassa (SA Social Security Agency) child support grant automatically gives you access to free education, enriching your child with the dream of an education,” she explained. The women spoke openly about personal challenges and interacted with each other. “Our language and cultural diversity was not a challenge because our different energies connected,” Jackie reported. The women who attended left feeling positive and empowered, particularly Kgomotso Mathope (36).

She had attended the event for moral support, as Jackie’s neighbour. She says she was surprised at how informative the session was. “When I attended, I didn’t expect to benefit in any way,” she said. “It was lovely to be part of a group of women who could openly speak on issues affecting us and give or get advice on those issues.”

Gracious Kehilwe (45), one of the donors, was particularly interested in the child maintenance fees. She is the guardian of a teenager who has received the same maintenance amount from birth. “It has been a struggle. Now that I have the right information, I am going to stand up and fight for what is due to her.” Most women were empowered by the ways of overcoming the challenges of not being able to afford a school for their children.

The women were very grateful to Jackie and look forward to many more such motivational events. “This was my first event in the Ikageng community. We hope to have many more to encourage women to be strong, self-motivated and independent; to achieve their goals and dreams,” she concluded. Jackie plans to host similar events monthly. To be part of the next event or make any contributions, contact Jackie on 066 285 6527.