We first met Simamisa on his way to school in an old, poorly maintained wheelchair. He was attending a school for people with disabilities. After paying a visit to him at school, we offered support and motivation and duly provided him with a special wheelchair. After that he really put his foot down at school, passing his school-leaving exams in 2019. 

Having brought Simamisa into our Life Journey programme, we worked with him to develop ideas on starting a career. In 2020, despite the pandemic situation, we managed to secure him a one-year work placement with a large, South Africa-based German firm. Now 24 years old, Simamisa has a permanent job in the company’s reception area. The only downside was the long and complicated journey to work by public transport, but once again we were able to help. Using donations, we bought him an electric wheelchair which allows him to get to work far more easily (and saves two hours in the process).

Even on the first test run, Simamisa was smiling from ear to ear. Now he is independent and drives himself to work. He is developing into a confident young man with a positive outlook; someone who has taken control of his own life in pursuit of his career goals.