Testimonies

What Our Beneficiaries Say

At Mthimkhulu Victim Empowerment Project, we’ve had the privilege of helping many individuals. Here’s what some of them have to say about the impact we’ve made in their lives.

There was a woman who reported her case. She had been abandoned by her husband, who didn’t take care of her or their children. We referred her to receive child maintenance, and we supported her emotionally as she had also suffered abuse, including physical violence."

A rape victim had remained silent about her ordeal. When we conducted door-to-door debriefing, she finally opened up, and the perpetrator was arrested.

We visit schools regularly, ensuring there’s no intimidation of teachers. We teach students to avoid drugs and bullying. When incidents occur, schools report them to us. We conduct debriefing sessions and provide education on handling such cases. These interventions have been helpful at our schools, such as Nyiko Primary and Masza High, as well as in nearby villages.

We’ve also helped victims of verbal abuse, and we’ve assisted many in these situations.

Some children who had dropped out of school were helped to return after our intervention. We conducted thorough follow-ups to ensure everything was in place for their return.

In one case, we found a woman who had been left injured in the bushes after a taxi incident. We contacted the police (SAPS), who helped transport her to a clinic for medical care.

In some cases, we encounter situations where people, both young and old, verbally abuse others through insults. When an individual reports the issue to us, we assess the situation. If necessary, we offer debriefing sessions for both the victim and the offender, often with a family member present. During these sessions, we guide them in understanding the consequences of their actions. Many people benefit from these discussions, especially when they realize the potential legal repercussions, such as the possibility of being arrested. By the end of these sessions, they often resolve their issues, and both parties feel relieved.

There are instances where insults involve sensitive topics, like accusing someone of being HIV positive, or where the insults are shared publicly on social media. We explain the legal consequences in such cases, including the risk of imprisonment. Our debriefing sessions have been highly effective, and many are grateful for our intervention. In the community, we are fondly referred to as “Greenhouse,” and people know they will receive help when they come to us. Often, individuals who arrive from opposing sides leave reconciled and happy.

While we sometimes refer people to social workers, many fail to attend these appointments because the social workers are far away, and getting there requires taking a taxi. Unfortunately, there are no social workers available nearby, making it difficult for some people to access those services. As a result, they turn to us for help, and they do receive the support they need.

In schools, we are frequently called upon to help with students who are disrespectful to teachers or their peers, or those who have dropped out of school. Once we intervene, there are significant positive changes. Many students have returned to school, learned to respect their teachers and fellow students, and gained a new appreciation for the value of education through our efforts.