Q. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
A. I live at home with my husband and son. I came to Open Door as a volunteer in 2002 and in 2003,I became a full time employee,working as a Senior Counsellor. I offer counselling as well as HIV/AIDS testing and counselling. I also visit local schools and talk to the students about many social issues.
Q. You’ve been working at The Open Door Crisis Care Centre for 6 years. What have you taken from your experience so far?
A. I have taken a lot from this experience. I have learnt that there are many people who need help in our communities. I have gained lots of experience in counselling techniques,both for children and adults as well as training within communities. Working at Open Door has opened my eyes and has given me a better understanding of the problems which communities face in terms of poverty,HIV/AIDS and abuse. It is a privilege to provide intervention support through my work at Open door.
Q. What have been your high points during your time at The Open Door Crisis Care Centre?
A. Generally,the people I work with are what keep me going. Some days I wake up and need encouragement to get going but when I think of the women I work with,I know I want to go and to be around them. We are lucky to have such wonderful women here at Open Door. As for a particular high point,I remember arriving at work one Friday morning and there was a beautiful baby on the doorstep. This baby was all wrapped up and warm with a bottle of milk beside her so I knew her mother had cared for her and that perhaps she wanted to give her to someone who could provide the best possible care –which may not have been her at that time. The mother had chosen a safe place to leave her baby. We prayed for both mother and baby during our prayer meeting that day.
Q. Have you learnt any lessons to take into your everyday life?
A. I have learnt not to judge people on the face of things. The people we see at Open Door show us that everyone has a story as to why they are at a certain point in their lives and that everybody has to face up to problems.
Q. What advice could you give to someone wanting to work/ volunteer in this field?
A. If you feel you have the passion and desire to help people then you should definitely pursue counselling or another form of social work. This job is very fulfilling and I love the work I am doing. To have clients say to me that they have been uplifted is always a very good moment for me.
Q. And finally,can you describe yourself in one sentence?
A. I am an individual – I come to decisions that not everybody would take and carry them out as best I can.
