Beauty Nomantlane Makhalima has worked as a trusted care worker for ThembaCare for 4 years. She has a special way with the children and often states proudly that all the children she has cared for have found good homes, because that is what she prays for them. This month we asked her about how she came to work at ThembaCare and what inspires her in her daily duties.
Who is Beauty Makhalima?
My name is Beauty, the mother of 5 kids, coming from Eastern Cape. My husband passed away in 1999. I am very happy, but I raised my five kids myself. My oldest child is 31 years now and my youngest child is 13 years. My oldest child works as a paramedic.
How did you come to work at ThembaCare as a care-worker?
I worked in a nutrition centre with children from 2 – 6 years for 18 years before starting at TCA. When the centre closed, I asked my friend Miriam (who also works at TCA) if she knows about any jobs. She told me about a place at TCA.
What motivates you in your job?
I feel well-equipped after working many years with children and this motivates me to do my job. I like my work a lot. I like that it is about health issues, it challenges me and I like that.
What do you enjoy most about working with the children?
While the children sit with me I enjoy it a lot. I enjoy concentrating on them, singing with them. I like to see how they develop physically and mentally.
Do you have any specific good memories from TCA?
I will always remember one specific girl that was at TCA for a long time. I met her when she was very little, a baby, always caring for her, taking her to hospital, growing her. When she was 3 years she found a foster mother. I was very, very happy, that God has heard my prayer for this little girl. But it is not only this little girl. There were many other children that found good homes.
How do you cope with the sad stories at work?
It is a difficult for me, but as I know it can’t change, I know I must accept it. I also know that I come to TCA to bring God’s Word. The Bibles teaches us how to deal with these different things.
