She is the change she wants to see in the world
The story of Mafete Malatjie, 16, is an encouraging one that demonstrates the amazing ability of a child to triumph beyond life’s tough blows. Mafete was only 14 when her mother went to look for a job outside Kodumela, leaving her to care for her two younger siblings.
When World Vision staff learned about her situation they paid her a home visit. They found that she was the one managing the household. Unable to add her to the Sponsorship programme because she lived outside of the area, the staff faced a dilemma with regards to helping the family.
“We used to give Mafete vegetables from the garden, but were unable to do more because our funds are committed for specific tasks,” said the Kodumela ADP Manager, Ledile Mphahlele.
The Cholsey’s assistance could not have come at the right moment. This is a community of generous people from the village of Cholsey, in the United Kingdom. Their funds are used for transformational development and are not restricted. The ADP bought school uniforms for her and her two siblings.
On receiving all these goodies, Mafete wrote a thank you card to the Cholsey donor. Moved by the touching letter, the donor then decided to sponsor Mafete. “Being a sponsored child has made a big difference in my life. I now receive gifts and Kodumela ADP is giving us a lot of support,” said the shy Mafete.
She has a passion for agriculture that continues to grow, such that she has requested the ADP to strengthen her home fencing so that she can start her own garden.
At the same time, she has started a girls’ soccer club. She says through this soccer club she specifically wants to help her peers, who complain of boredom during weekends and holidays. “My aim is to get children active by playing outside and to help reduce the risk of them becoming involved in any anti-social behaviour,” she said.
With the Kodumela ADP’s intervention, Mafete’s mother has recently come back home, however Mafete is resolved to continue caring for her siblings despite her mother’s return. When World Vision visited her, she asked the Kodumela ADP staff if she could write a letter to the people of Cholsey. As if she is writing a Christmas wish list to Santa, she listed among others money to build a home for her family, soccer kits for her club members and money to buy seedlings.
Her maturity hides her age, and while it is her inner strength that has taken her this far, she is happy to partner with World Vision and the community of Cholsey to take her even further.