I found family, hope and confidence at Abraham Kriel Bambanani

When I first arrived at Abraham Kriel Bambanani (AKB), I was nervous and unsure if I would belong. My family had been struggling, and life felt heavy and uncertain. But from the moment I walked through the Langlaagte Campus gates, everything started to change. The social workers, caregivers and other beneficiaries welcomed me with kindness and patience. I quickly realised I wasn’t alone anymore. The other young people became like brothers and sisters, and I felt truly seen and cared for. At AKB, I found more than support, I found a place where I belonged. The people here believed in me even when I doubted myself. They encouraged me to learn, grow and dream of a better future. Today, I am a confident young woman who knows that things can work out and that I can achieve great things. AKB has given me a lifelong gift: a community that feels like family, and a place where I will always belong. *Thando *Not her real name