Project leader Ida Born: "While I open the gate at Goeie Hoop from my car, I see him, hidden behind the pillar of the entrance gate. Cold, barefoot, wet with his head down. His shoulders shake wildly… My heart is breaking. He was safe with Goeie Hoop for 5 years. For the age of 11 he is still much too small, too vulnerable and too dependent. In 2 days he will leave for foster parents on the "plaas" where he was neglected for years by his "simple" mother. His older sister is happy with it, he is not. He is terrified. He knows he is no match for the "hard world". And yet… he has no choice. The judiciary prefers foster parents over children's homes. In the corner of my eye I see 2 colleagues standing at the front door and I realize that the little boy has had an uncontrollable tantrum, is as always unapproachable and has fled like a tipsy piece of game. He doesn't remember. My mother's heart speaks and I calm him down. On Wednesdays I always do all my shopping for the Children's Home and my car is packed. There is only 1 space left and that is on the driver's seat. I pick him up, carry him to the car and give him one last driving lesson…. For a moment he feels "tough" again. He helps me unload the car and seems confident. But a little later he is again crying on the lap of a colleague. In the meantime I have heard the damage. 3 smashed windows and a pelted car… .. You give a hefty punishment to a "normal" child. With this pile of misery you only feel deep, deep pity. "
06/07/2015
