My name is Sipho and I live with Goeie Hoop. Together with my brothers Lino and Siya. My father and mother lived on the street with us. We didn't have a house and we all roamed around together. At one point we started living under a bridge in the city with even more people. We had water from the river there for washing, cooking and drinking. And it was also close to the shops where we could beg. We did not go to school. We were often hungry and when we had food my father would often eat it. Not many children lived under the bridge. One day the police came to get my brothers. I didn't get it. Now that I also live with Goeie Hoop, I understand things better. The police didn't take my brothers because they were naughty. I now understand that they have been taken away from under the bridge because it is not good for children to live there. I just don't understand why they didn't take me with them at the time. It wasn't good for me either, was it? Maybe because I am the youngest? Last December, during the big holiday, my brothers would come to stay. The social worker thought that we now lived in a house. It was, but we only lived there for a very short time. My parents moved back to live under the bridge soon after. And so do I. The social worker thought it was so sad for my brothers that they could not go 'home', that I was allowed to play at Goeie Hoop for a few days. I had such a good time there with my brothers that I can now also live there. All 3 of us go to a special school because we have not been to school for a long time and are therefore very behind the other children of our age. I really enjoy school. But what I do find sad is the following; when we play outside during recess, I sometimes see my parents walk by. They have built a 'shelter' near school where they now sleep. My father is very thin and has a long beard. He usually walks behind a shopping cart full of junk. They use that rubbish to make their 'shelter' a bit bigger. Sigh ... I am happy that I can live with Goeie Hoop. At least I have a bed now, although I prefer to lie on the floor in front of my bed. That feels familiar ... And now I have clean clothes and shoes and stuff for school. I've never had that. And now I am never hungry anymore. I no longer have to wonder if there will be food that day. At Goeie Hoop there is always food! Sipho, his brothers and 'his friends' at Goeie Hoop need you. Give these guys a future and become their sponsor. Register or mail for info to sponsoreenkind@goeiehoop.nl
11/02/2020
