Before I even begin to talk about this, you may be wondering…
Who the heck is this chick to talk on such an important and highly sensitive topic? So, let me introduce myself, for those of you who don’t know me.
I’m, like the blog URL says, Cath Jenkin. Unashamedly so. Who am I? Well, to pay the bills and do what I believe I can do in this little (yes, I really am this short) body and with this beautiful life of mine, I am the IT and New Media Manager for HIV-911. HIV-911 is a referral network of HIV/AIDS service providers which enables people in South Africa to access information and know where to go when they need to know something about HIV, want to be tested, need help, need treatment, need care…and need love. At HIV-911, I get to be involved in an abundance of empowering technological projects that aim to enable people in need to get the help they deserve. HIV-911 enables me to be who I am, and lets me fulfill my true soul desire to do something to help other people who cannot or feel they cannot help themselves.
That’s by day. By night, I work and write for a premier Web Development company, The Forge. I’m lucky to be blessed with enough trust and insomnia, to channel all my energies into things that I love to do. And The Forge lets me be creative in an environment that excites me.
The symmetry? Both organisations are run by superwomen.
Sometimes, I write for Parent24. Sometimes I write just for me. Sometimes I even write for you.
But, the most important name and title I own, is mama. I am a single mom to the world’s most precious princess, Cameron. She is four and every day, I am thankful that she chose me to be her mom.
So, now you know.
One thing most of you don’t know. Is that the 16 days of activism campaign means more to me than just a campaign.
One of the people you think of during this time, who have been victims of domestic violence and abuse, is me.
Sure, I am one of the lucky ones. I was able to remove myself from it. I was not physically scarred for the rest of my life. I was able to get the help I needed. I had good friends and I had the power to not be in that situation anymore. Most people do not.
Abuse isn’t just smacking someone into the floor, or a wall. It’s also about emotional abuse. It’s also about the domination of one person over another. It’s about the gulp in your throat late at night when you do not know who is coming home to you, and whether or not you’ll be okay in the end.
I survived. I got out. I won. And every single day, I live.
But, I’m not here to talk about me anymore.
I’m here to talk about the people who help people like me. I’m here to talk about the people who are the light at the end of the tunnel, and who hold the hand of someone in pain. I’m here to talk about the people who are the enablers towards a future.
As part of the Foschini Group’s 16 Days of Activism campaign, I am honoured to be asked to talk about these tireless heroes and heroines.
Because I am a proudly Durban girl, I chose not only an organisation I know well and work with but one that is situated close to me.
Life Line runs a wide variety of variety of programmes, geared towards helping people in crisis, move towards a future. From children, to families, to men, to women, even possibly…you.
Life Line operates a 24-hour, confidential counselling line on 0861-322-322
Life Line’s counsellors are compassionate, caring and well-trained. I know. They’ve counselled me before. Life Line’s counsellors are not afraid to be human, and won’t let you feel alone. Life Line’s counsellors are truly THERE for you.
I know. They have been there for me before.
Life Line aims to remind people in need that, no matter what, no matter how very deeply down a dark tunnel they are, they are not alone. Not only that, Life Line looks to empower and educate and so, runs numerous training and capacity building programmes.
Life Line is not a rich organisation. It does not seek to make profit off pain. It does not exist for any other reason than to help people in need and support them through the darkest hours of life.
It is run by heroes and heroines. Who love beyond themselves. I am thankful to them today, for existing. For never giving up. For always keeping the faith in the face of a situation that seems like it has none.
They are the heroes and heroines that enable those in pain to speak. To speak out. To live again.