In the heart of Manenberg on the Cape Flats, where opportunities are often scarce, one mother’s determination is rewriting her future and inspiring her community. Melissa Jackson, the proud parent of Vaughan Jackson, a Grade 6 student at our school, shares how our holistic support has helped her overcome challenges, given her the confidence to pursue higher education, and provided her with the support to assist her community.

Melissa’s story is proof that when you support our students, you break the cycle of poverty for a family and uplift an entire community. When Vaughan was enrolled at Christel House SA, Melissa was navigating life as a newly single parent after a divorce. Melissa was grateful for the opportunity our school gave her daughter, but after attending the workshops provided by our social services department, she realised that our mission went far beyond teaching children. Through parent workshops offered by our Social Services team, she discovered new opportunities for personal growth and professional development, and she knew she had to act.

“From the moment I joined Christel House SA, I realised it wasn’t just about supporting our children, the school’s aim was to uplift our whole family and community,” Melissa recalls.

Inspired by our school’s commitment to lifelong learning, Melissa pursued higher education. She completed her Higher Certificate in Adult Education and is graduating in September, an achievement she once thought was out of reach. Along the way, she connected with people who believed in her, including a donor who offered to help cover part of her outstanding graduation fee.

Melissa’s growth hasn’t stopped with her own education. She runs workshops in her community, replicating the sessions she attends at Christel House SA to empower other parents to gain confidence, skills, and hope.

Her journey has also sparked new dreams. Melissa has applied for a degree in Social Work at the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape, and she has qualified to study law at Regenesys College.

Melissa’s journey from struggle to strength embodies our vision – a world where poverty does not limit potential. By supporting students like Vaughan, you are doing much more than changing the life of a child. You are transforming families and communities. To support our work, click here sa.christelhouse.org/donate/ or contact us at partnership@sa.christelhouse.org.