My name is nontando “sdudla” maphumulo. I am 29 years of age; I was born in South Africa. I have one brother and one sister and I also have 3 nieces from my sister. My father died in 2007/04/12, I just have my mother that is still alive. My son was only 7 and I lost him tragically this year on the 16/02/2008. I am the youngest of the three children; my sister is 42 years and is married. My brother is 32 years and is not married, I stay at home with my mother and before my son passed away he stayed with me and my mother.
When my father was still alive he and my mother had been divorced since 1988, we then went to stay with my mother and her family but it was so hard because we were used to staying with both a mother and father and a small family. When we left to stay with my mothers family it was difficult because we where then a family of 17.
My mother is 62 years old and she does not work, I am the one working and providing for my mom and taking care of her, my mother is my idol and I love her dearly.
In 1999 I was in grade 12 when I used to see the ladies from the my community going to illovo every Wednesday, one day I asked them where they were going and they told me they were going to the tree clinic. I asked one of the ladies if I could join them and they said that I could go with but unfortunately I couldn’t make it because I was busy with my schooling. In 2000 I went to the tree three times and I then introduced myself to Sweetie who then introduced me to Jackie.
Sweetie then asked Jackie to train me so I could work for Bobbi Bear because I loved the work that Bobbi Bear was doing at the tree, most of the ladies were from my community and the work that Bobbie Bear is so important, many of the women were being abused and did not know where to go. Jackie and the tree has inspired and motivated so many women and helped them to believe hat there is people out there that can help.
Since I heard about Bobbi Bear I knew where to go to report abuse. I told everybody in my community about Bobbi bear and soon everybody knew where to go and seek help if they were being abused.
Jackie trained me and I have been working with Bobbi Bear since 2005 I am a child safety officer and I also do presentations at schools. I love the work that I do and am very passionate about children.
