Lydia's success in life
“My children, people don’t expect you to overflow with gratitude, but to become responsible adults in society.” – Hermann Gmeiner, founder of SOS Children’s Villages
These words have molded me into the person that I am today. I’m Lydia Nekhunguni, a living success story of the vision that SOS Children’s Villages has for all its children around the world. This is the only home I have ever known and I know that SOS Children’s Villages is the reason for me being here today.
I am an adult now and have my own family, but I have never forgotten where I come from. I grew up at SOS Children’s Village Ennerdale, in South Africa, and was one of the first children at the village in 1981. My parents died when I was three. I have seven siblings, some of whom stayed on with me at the village and three others that went into foster care in Eldorado Park. I was so grateful to share a home with four of my siblings and another family of five. They eventually became our new brothers and sisters. Our first SOS Mother was Aunty Joan; she was lovely, but sadly passed away after a battle with cancer. Our second SOS Mother, Aunty Myra was and has been the closest thing to a natural mother.
I attended a brilliant high school and, in 11th grade, I was given the opportunity to go overseas and become an exchange student in France. Upon returning home to sunny South Africa, I pursued a career in marketing and studied towards a marketing degree. I was career-oriented and had no dream to have a family of my own. You can imagine my surprise when at the age of 25 I found out that I was pregnant! Now, 9 years later I am married with two children and Aunty Myra (my second SOS Mother) is now ‘granny Myra’.
The joys of having children are vast; however, I constantly live in fear that I, too, may leave my children one day as a result of a sudden death. However, if I had a choice, I would not have chosen a different life. I have never had to worry about having food on the table, clothes or money for education – it was always being provided.
Now I have the opportunity of giving back to those children who now find themselves on the same path that I had once been on in my life. For the last two years, I have managed to put a smile on children’s faces with the help of very humble and generous friends and colleagues who opened their hearts and pockets to bring my vision to life. We host Christmas parties for approximately ten children a year from SOS Children’s Village in Ennerdale, my old home. It is the most amazing feeling to see the children’s faces light up.
There is, however, no amount of money in the world that can ever repay everything that SOS Children’s Village and friends like you have done for me. People like you have contributed towards my life in a way that I will always be grateful for.
I am now a responsible member of society. I continued with my career in marketing and PR and have worked for companies such as Warstreet Marketing, a PR and marketing company, and African Bank. I have now finally taken the plunge and started my own business.
I will never know the donors of SOS Children’s Villages by name, but what I do know is that, without their continued support and generous donations, I would have been lost, without a future, or a chance to a normal life. I hope that my story may inspire someone to make a difference in someone else’s life. You never know what the impact will be.
I cannot change where I come from; it’s part of my history, but I have a choice over my future!
This post is part of the SOS Loving Home blog.
