Zanele's Story

Some of our favourite stories here at LIV are from the amazing young people who have finished their time on the village and are out there making a difference in the world. We call them our release students, we are so proud of them and we love it when they come back to the village to see us! They will always have a home here and it is part of our vision that we will continue to support them for as long as they need. Zanele is one of our release students, and she really is a star! Zan came to Liv in July 2015 and matriculated in 2020. We asked her how things have been since she finished school and how LIV has been there for her along the way. I finished my matric in the midst of the Corona Virus pandemic, which was a crazy time to think about starting my adult life and leaving LIV! Despite the challenges I got an exciting opportunity to spend 3 months at YWAM Durban. My highlights from YWAM were the youth camp we did, as I was given the opportunity to share with the young people on forgiveness , and being a group leader, seeing children all from different backgrounds come together as one. After I finished my time at YWAM I started studying a bachelor of Social work at the university of KwaZulu natal and rented a house right by the campus. LIV has really helped me in applying for my studies, and they have supported me and encouraged me through my whole journey since leaving the village. My inspiration of social work came from seeing how the social workers at the village care and love the kids of the village, I saw their dedication and passion for wanting what is best for the children and trying their best to assist them. I wanted to do that , I want to help people reach their full potential regardless of the situations they are facing, just as LIV has done for me!