Hilda Bennette

Hilda Bennette is from Ladismith and came onto the programme in May 2006 with a very low self esteem and very little self confidence.

For the first two days she would hide behind her own shadow.  At one stage she even attempted running away from the programme, by leaving the premises without the consent of anyone.  Fortunately we found her in time at the taxi rank, brought her back to the Kolping House in Dysselsdorp, and ever since, Hilda has not looked back again.

She soon realised that she had the power to determine her own future, by fighting her private battles and truly becoming the change agent she so desperately wanted to be.

She completed her 10 day life skills course, and went onto hard skills training in frail-care.  This she did in Port Elizabeth, which also enabled her to broaden her horizons and knowledge about the world out there. She completed her training with great success.

Hilda is now busy with her in-service training at the Huis Izak van Tonder in Ladismith, and Sister Theart reported that she is performing well.  There is a big possibility that she would occupy permanent employment after completion.

David Lucas

My name is David Thembani Lucas.  Born and bred in Oudtshoorn.

By the year 2000 I felt I was down in a deep dark pit.  I was told about Kolping and attended the WOP in 2000.

I would like to say, ever since I attended the Work Opportunity Programme I am thankful for the contribution the Kolping Society has made, and I am proud to say I was part of the programme.

As a result, today I am a senior admin clerk at the South African Police in Oudtshoorn.  Besides this, I completed a course in sound and lighting during my hard skills training, and I am now busy converting my garage into a recording studio which will be opened during 2007.  In this way I am able to assist our youth and teach them this skill, keeping them off the streets, from drugs and out of trouble.

I feel that my opportunities and achievements are results of attending the WOP.  My wife, Lilian Mqolo also attended the course in 1999, and is now working at the military base, also due to her training through WOP.

I would like to thank all those who contributed in our lives, spending their time helping us to shape our future, as it is not easy working with people you don’t know and with people who are normally morally down.  The WOP facilitators have helped to do something invaluable in live.  May God bless all of them and all the contributors especially the donors funding the programme.

Keep on helping those people to help themselves.

Mary Ann Lewis

I completed Grade 12 in 1997 at the Dysselsdorp Senior Seconday School and then found work in Cape Town, at a clothing factory in Montague Gardens where I worked for a year until contract ended.

I went back to Dysselsdorp and fell into a rut of depression and frustration.  I was very down at the time and did not know whether I was coming or going.

Someone told me about the programme that the Kolping Society offered.  I applied and came onto the WOP in May 2002.

WOP filled me with life and light.  After WOP I was able to see the light  I learnt a lot from other students, and realised that they too have many problems.  I was inspired, motivated and encouraged all the way.  I gained confidence and my self-esteem rose as I moved forward to new heights.

After the ten day life-skills course I was positive and built my life on a new foundation.

I am now more steadfast now.  I often still use my file that I received at WOP with all the handouts to refresh me. During the life-skills I learnt about building and maintaining healthy relationships.  I am a single parent with 2 dependents, and although they are living with my mum, I am able to spend quality time with them when I see them thrice a month.

I completed a basic course in hairdressing at Locky’s Boutique in George, and then went on to do an advance course at the Wave College in Cape Town in 2003.

I started working at Bella View, a Salon in Mosselbay. Due to a lack of business, I only worked there for three months, then went back to Dysselsdorp and started my own business from home.  I persoanlly financed my vernture.  My salon was successful, but after six months I found it very difficult and frustrating running my own business without business skills and finance.

I then closed down the business and applied for work at Edgars in George.

I got work in their Temptations lingerie department where I worked as a sales lady. The skills I gained in retail and at WOP especially my communication skills, enabled me to explore the job market, and it also gave me the courage to cope. I found myself a job at a boutique named VIA UNO, which paid me a better salary and placed me in a managerial position within 8 months.  Thanks to Kolping and Facilitators who contributed towards my success.  I am currently still at the boutique, and my boss intends sending me to Brazil within the next two years as they have another branch there.  This I see as a challenge and will be looking forward to experiencing new horizons.