Bulelwa’s story
... changing her future
Bulelwa was living with her aunt and uncle, when her uncle raped her. She told her aunt, who didn’t believe her …
“When it happened for the second time, I confided in my High School teacher who told me to talk to Nomvelo from the Ikhwezi Support Group. Nomvelo helped me through counselling but in the meantime my aunt threw me out of her home for not keeping quiet about what had happened.
“I was homeless and started using drugs and drinking. I ended up having sex for money in order to buy food. That was until Nomvelo invited me to stay at her house. She also encouraged me to join the abstinence group.”
This was a very important step for Bulelwa as she became more informed and felt more secure sharing with people who had similar experiences. With the help of Portia who leads the Ikhwezi abstinence groups and Bible teachings in schools, Bulelwa discovered a sense of purpose and newfound confidence. Bulelwa is now making use of her own gifts to help others – through song, dance and drama she helps teach about abstinence.
“We all notice a difference in Bulelwa’s life,” explains Nomvelo. “Her teachers at school have noticed a change from her past violent behaviour. Bulelwa’s performance at school is the best it has ever been and she is flourishing in other areas of her life. It just goes to show how important information on abstinence and God’s teachings about life are for young people everywhere.”
(Bulelwa is not her real name)
