Many years ago when Dr Trudi Basson had arranged for a mascot of a bread company to visit the school where she did play therapy. She found that one little boy in grade two could not hide his excitement and thankfulness for the three slices of dry bread he gathered to take home for his family. This made her realise the need for food that existed among some schoolchildren and that they could really benefit from a soup kitchen. As she continued to work in the field, she also noticed a need for accommodation and she increased services at the organisation she founded, Maranatha Streetworkers Trust, to help address these needs.

Basson holds a doctorate in social work from Nelson Mandela University has worked for over 20 years to help vulnerable children and adults. At Maranatha she oversees the Siyakatala Child & Youth Care Centre, a residential care facility for survivors of abuse, many of whom were found on the streets or orphaned before they are placed at Maranatha. They get full therapeutic support, recreational and developmental opportunities as well as schooling and training. Basson has established a successful model for child and youth care.

“I have always had empathy with children who find themselves in circumstances that don’t allow them to develop their full potential. It is sad to see children not having opportunities in life; not experiencing love, safety and security. It is heartbreaking to observe children in pain and need because of the mistakes made by their parents,” she said.

But this is not all she does: the Maranatha Adult Care helps adults and families. Through their “back to work” programme, adults assist in projects including garden tunnels, a piggery and aquaponics.

This year, she set up a toy library in the community of Pienaarsig township, which is benefitting children from a local primary school who require special educational assistance from grade R to grade three.

— Rumana Akoob