From foster care to registered nurse

Being the youngest of four siblings, Simona Leys (23) didn’t exactly have an easy childhood growing up.

In 2002, when she was was just four years old, her parents got divorced and the court placed Simona and her siblings into a children’s home. “My mom had a very short temper and would physically abuse my siblings and me from time to time,” she explained. “I think the teachers started noticing the bruises on my siblings; that’s how they knew we might have issues at home.”

Simona was continually moved from different homes and had difficulty making friends. Despite her circumstances, she still maintained a very close relationship with her mother until she passed away in 2012 when Simona was in Grade 8.

“My mom had her issues but I really loved her. She was a nurse herself and I always wondered how she treated her patients,” she said. When Simona went to work with her mother, she was surprised to see that she was the most loved person in the workplace. “It was in those moments that I discovered my love for nursing and came to realise that people were worth my time,” she said.

Every second weekend, foster children were allowed to visit their families. Simona would visit her mother and the two would do everything together. “One thing I loved about her was her unwavering strength. She was a hustler and never gave up,” Simona said.

Although she admits that the hardships of her childhood have affected her adult life, she is grateful to have had such a close relationship with her mother. “My father always told me that, no matter what happened, my mom would always be my mom. I kept those words dear to my heart,” she said.

“If I could go back in time, I would take back all the mean things I said to her when I was angry. I remain extremely grateful for our close relationship.”

Simona describes her mother as a strong Zulu woman who was very loving and an avid church-goer when she wasn’t angry.

“Her teachings still have a great influence on my life. She is one of the reasons I’m forever playing gospel music,” she said.
Simona pushed through and counted down to when she would be successful, “I studied late nights, prayed a lot and worked hard because I already knew what I wanted for myself,” she said.
Simona graduated as a nurse at the North-West University and recently bought her first car.

“I felt like giving up many times, but I didn’t have it in me,” she said. “I’ve been so angry at God, yet I continued being faithful to Him because I knew I needed Him more than anything else.

“I also wouldn’t have been able to do it without the faith my foster parents had in me. They saw something special in me and ensured that I lived out my dreams,” Simona said gratefully. “If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have had a bursary or even got into varsity. I am truly grateful for their support.”
She says God has set a perfect time for everyone.

Some just have to be more patient than others. She is grateful that things have started picking up for her.“A special thank you to Abraham Kriel for shaping me into the person I am today. Thank you for all the support and guidance over the years,” she said.