Empowered women, empower the youth

BEHIND the doors of Girls and Boys Town South Africa (GBTSA), a quiet army of women shows up every day, not for recognition, but to rewrite the stories of young people who need hope the most.

- TRIBUNE REPORTER

This Women’s Month, we honour these women, the caretakers, mentors, role models, and pillars of strength whose work rarely makes headlines but forever changes lives.

At the GBTSA girls’ residence in Verulam KwaZulu-Natal, Wendy Gumede, pictured right, a devoted child and youth care worker, carries a quiet fire. Each morning she rises, not just to clock in, but to stand together with the vulnerable youth in her care.

“What keeps me going is reminding myself why I’m here,” Wendy says. “Even if it’s one child, one youth — if I can make a difference in their life, it’s worth it.”

She has seen heartache but also healing. Her greatest joy is the smiles of young girls finding their footing again.

“Even on hard days, I believe tomorrow can be a blossoming day, a day with rainbows. That hope, and the resilience I see in the youth, keeps me moving.”