SHELTER IN THE STORM

Selistien Moses gives her heart and soul to helping others in her hometown of Ashton. Working together with members of the police and her community, she provides much-needed resources to women and children who need care and assistance.

“Don’t only talk, DO SOMETHING!” says Selistien Moses. She runs a community centre from where she assists the local community, and she recently took local children through to the trauma room at the local police station to make them aware that there is a place of safety for them, should the need arise.

“Even when we feel hopeless during tough times, what I did was aspire to give women hope. No matter what you are going through, there is always hope!”

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WORK WITH WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO ARE BEING ABUSED?

I grew up in a house where my stepfather would beat my mother and, as I was the eldest, I always had tried to protect her. When I was small I wanted to be a social worker but I couldn’t achieve this dream as there was no money for me to study. I had a lot of hurt inside that I knew I needed to heal and I have done this by helping others who suffer abuse and need help.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THIS ROLE?

My husband and I started the centre when we moved from a shack to an RDP house, making porridge and soup for the kids in our area. We became community workers automatically when everyone came to us for help. I received a message from God telling me that I should help others by making food for those who don’t have any.

Montagu suffered a terrible flood some years ago and during this time the community needed a leader. My husband and I decided to stand up and help where we could. We were lucky enough to meet people from the Netherlands who were running a local hall and we started working with them, providing for the community. Today we own the hall and my centre, Khayalethu Care Centre is run from here. We also had a house built for us on the property so we are always close to the centre.

I joined the Clover Mama Afrika team in 2007 and this has helped my centre grow tremendously over the years. With the professional and caring guidance and regular upskilling and training from Prof Elain Vlok, Clover Manager, Clover Mama Afrika Trust, I am able to take my knowledge and upskill those around me too.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW PEOPLE CAN GET INVOLVED IN GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY?

Start where you are. No matter where that is! In your street, in your own community, just take a look around yourself and notice those who may need someone. Like the Bible says, “You are your brother’s keeper.”