Page 36 - SCAT Rural Voice II - 35 Stories for 35 Years

Access to Justice
A sON’s PROMIse TO HIs
SingLe paRent motHeR
Jan Bostander and Shirley van Wyk serving clients Deputy Chairperson Shirley van Wyk (left) and Chairperson Merweville Advice Office.
in the Advice Office.
Jan Bostander (right).
jAN BOSTANDER HAD TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL WHEN HE WAS THIRTEEN TO HELP SUPPORT HIS SINGLE PARENT MOTHER AND HIS SEVEN SIBLINGS. HE VOWED TO ONE DAY RETURN TO MERWEVILLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO HIS COMMUNITY, A PROMISE HE IS FULFILLING WITH HIS ROLE AT THE ADVICE OFFICE.
I was born in Merweville. It is a small town in the central Karoo District. There are no big stores or other businesses stimulating the local economy and creating employment opportunities. There are two general stores, selling basic goods, and a garage selling agricultural products. Merweville has two primary schools. It is a dusty area with high unemployment. Many residents are dependent on seasonal construction and agricultural work. The rest depend on state grants.
I am one of eight children, five brothers and three sisters, raised by a single mother with a state grant of R360.00 per month. I completed my primary school education in Merweville and left for Beaufort West for high school. We were three children at high school and two at primary school.
early on in my life, my mother struggled to provide us with the basic necessities. Often, my siblings and I had to survive with little to no food. As a result, I had to drop out of school in grade 9 at thirteen years old in order to find work and help the family. I had to go and live with my mother’s oldest brother, so he could train me in construction work. We were working at the surrounding farms. It was very difficult for me to understand my life. I cried many days, as I could not understand why we had to suffer like this. I could not understand why my mother had to struggle and raise us on her own and why I had to drop out of school. Many nights I prayed that when I’m an adult God must help me help my mother and all other people who are struggling.
JAn bostAnder
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RuRal Voice ii: 35 stories for 35 years