MY STORY: Young teen pushed from pillar to post
It's me and mommy against the world.'
THIRTEEN-year-old Shivanni* (not her real name) lives day by day and never knows where she and her mom will rest their heads at night time or where their next meal will come from.
The only thing certain and stable in this little lass’ life is waking up, knowing that she is able to go to school with the hope and dream of changing the outcome and prospects of her young life.
Shivanni is currently a prefect in Grade 7 at a local primary school in Empangeni and an academically gifted individual with a bright future.
She was born in Durban in 2004, with her dad walking out when she was just six months old.
‘My mommy followed my dad to Empangeni the next year, just to find that he had a girlfriend and another child on the way.’
With things not working out for Shivanni and her mom, it was time to make another plan.
‘My dad broke up with his girlfriend and then later married my stepmother who had one child already, before having two more together.
‘He is currently a stay-at-home-dad who looks after the children, while my step-mom provides for the family.’
But with her own mother without work and her dad ‘having a new family’, it led to Shivanni and her mom having to fend for themselves.
‘My mom tries everything in her power to provide for us. She sells samoosas, chili bites, clothes and even our belongings in an attempt to make money for rent and food.
‘I also try my best by making jewelry to sell to help out.’
But on the day of the interview, Shivanni had not eaten yet and was uncertain if her mother had money to provide food for the day and had gone without food for a number of hours.
‘We stay in cheap lodging which costs around R200 a night during the week, and R300 a night over the weekends.’
But failure to pay has resulted in eviction time and time again.
‘We have bounced around and moved over 50 times in my life.
‘I try to not let my situation effect me as I know that God has better plans for me.
‘I separate my issues from school and home and focus on my school work.’
She prays every day with the hope of her life changing for the better.
‘Living this lifestyle has definitely taught me to appreciate the value of money and things.’
When life gets too much or Shivanni is overwhelmed, she reads and escapes into a story to calm down and forget about life for a while.
‘My ultimate dream is to become a cardiologist and make enough money to provide orphans with a home, at I know how it feels to not have a home or a place to call my own.’
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
