This Women’s Month we recognize a woman who holds the title #SuperMom to its highest form – Khanyisile Motsa, affectionately known as Mam Khanyi – who runs the award-winning Home of Hope for Girls. This year marks 20 years of her helping to fight gender-based violence against countless girls and women who have been abandoned, trafficked and abused.
Background
In 2000, Khanyisile Motsa was deeply disturbed by the reality she witnessed on the streets of Hillbrow/Berea in Johannesburg. As a response to an unacceptable situation, she sacrificially took girls into her own home and put herself between them and the criminals who were abusing them. It was then that Home of Hope was born.
Today, the Home consists of two residences in Johannesburg and an outreach centre in Hillbrow/Berea in the south of Johannesburg. In total, there are approximately 75 girls and young women in full-time care and 150 vulnerable children supported through the outreach programme.
Involvement with the Trevor Noah Foundation
The Trevor Noah Foundation aims to provide access to an educational foundation and opportunities so youth can emerge from school with the best possible chance of succeeding in life. In 2018 we began with one flagship partner school, New Nation School, in Johannesburg. New Nation School is uniquely special because it caters to youth who live in orphanages and youth centres across the city. Home of Hope for Girls is one of the safe havens New Nation School students call ‘home’.
Mam Khanyi was a part of our journey from Day One. At our launch event in April 2018, Mam Khanyi shared the stage with other influential icons such as Godwin Khoza (NECT), Sello Hatang (Nelson Mandela Foundation), Gugulethu Ndebele (Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls), and of course Trevor Noah. The panellists unpacked the complex educational context in South Africa and Mam Khanyi’s unique insight into the on-the-ground challenges vulnerable youth face was incredibly valuable.
Over the past few years, we’ve proudly supported Home of Hope in other ways. We sponsor a membership with Food ForwardSA who provides them access to a monthly supply of nutritious food. This support is incredibly important because many youths are at risk of food insecurity, and we know a hungry child cannot learn. Also, Home of Hope was one of the recipients of last year’s GivingTuesday celebration. On the annual day of generosity, we held a drive for previously loved goods and proudly donated loads of clothing and books to the girls.
How you can Get Involved
Coinciding with Women’s Month, Home of Hope for Girls is running the Ray of Hope campaign throughout August. The success of Home of Hope for Girls has proven that girls and young women are strong, that they can overcome obstacles and ultimately, that they too can become rays of hope for others. Empowered women empower women; the Ray of Hope campaign aims to inspire action with this message.
“My wish for this month is for it to be a month of love and care. If our country celebrated women every month of the year, our women and children would be safer, and perpetrators would be fewer,” says Khayisele Motsa.
Support the cause. Click here to read about how you can participate in the Ray of Hope campaign.
www.homeofhopeforgirls.org.za/
Facebook: @hopehome.org.za
Twitter: @A_HomeofHope
