Mbali's story
Mbali is 22 and works for Umthombo Street Children in Durban, South Africa. She spends her days building relationships and helping street girls.
But her own story is tragic. After years of abuse by her stepfather she ran to the streets where she survived for ten years, joining gangs where robbery, violance and sexual abuse were rife and sniffing glue to deaden the pain.
Then she met O'Saviour, a former street girl, now Head of Umthombo's street girls team. Mbali told us, "I felt like O'Saviour could really understand the situation I faced as she had been there herself."
O'Saviour helped Mbali with the care, counselling and support that she needed and also recognised her heart for other children. A year later, Mbali joined the Umthombo team as a volunteer and is now a member of staff. She told us:
"I've lived the life and the girls are open to me. I never dreamt I'd get the chance to help others so that they don't have a childhood like mine."
HOPEHIV’s Story
HOPEHIV and its partner, Umthombo, are pioneering an innovative model to use former street children as the main designers and implementers of strategies to help other street children to have a brighter future.
Their street team already reintegrates over 300 children each year into safe home and school environments. And their team of former street children are also educating stakeholder groups all around Durban, as well as participating in the development of a ‘National Action Plan’ for street children.
Make their story your story
This year HOPEHIV wants to expand its child rights programmes in Kenya, Uganda, Botswana and Malawi and equip over 600 new young advocates for change.
£5 a month will train another child to stand up for orphans. DONATE NOW.
Read more about Street Children.