EXPRESS READ: ELSIE’S RIVER MOM AND SON OVERJOYED AS HER KINDNESS BOUNCES BACK

‘I kept just praying and trusting God would do something,’ says Elsie’s River mom Rochelle (left) who, after helping schoolchildren who were writing exams hungry, had started struggling to support her own son Alex (centre) through Matric. Out of the blue, Lisa from Rondebosch (right) turned up to support them both. It was ‘mind-blowing, a miracle,’ says Rochelle | Photo: Nicky Elliott

Rochelle Diatsonama (53) was born in Cape Town’s Elsie’s River, the eldest child of a school cleaner dad and a housewife mom. She attended Valhalla Senior Secondary School and worked in various supermarkets, then retired early due to ill health. She still lives in Elsie’s River with her son Alex (18)

EVEN THOUGH it was difficult for me as a single mom, I felt it very important that Alex complete Matric. I myself wasn’t able to finish my own schooling when my dad lost his job, so I always felt I haven’t done as much with my life as I’d have liked. When Alex got to Grade 11, I realised many youngsters around us were going to school on an empty stomach, even when writing final exams. I started something called “Adopt a Matric”, put together snack packs for some Matric students, and called CCFM Radio for listener support. But no one contacted me to donate.

Soon, Alex turned 18 and things changed for us because his child grant stopped and my cancerous leg ulcers prevented me from working. I kept praying for us both, trusting God would do something. Out of the blue, a lady called Lisa contacted me. She’d heard me speak on the radio a whole year earlier and, when I explained I wasn’t helping anyone due to our new circumstances, she stepped in to help us.

Rochelle and Alex on the night of his Matric dance, made possible through the kindness of many South African strangers | Photo: Nicky Elliott

To my joy, she contacted a network of people and managed to get a phone donated for Alex so that he could receive the study notes from school that he’d been missing. She also provided a bed so we didn’t have to share one and he could sleep well. It was incredible to see him able to study properly. We hadn’t thought his Matric dance would be possible but Lisa organised him a ticket, a suit and shoes. It was mind-blowing, a miracle!

When we heard Alex got his Bachelor’s Pass, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I want to thank every single person who donated and I still want to make a difference for other schoolchildren. I want to show them that Jesus gives us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29 verse 11). With Lisa on my side, I believe we can make a big difference.’

Members of the support team: Joanne Devine (left) and Dael Dyer (centre) donated phones and Adèle Gradner (right) funded the hire of his dance suit. ‘I want to thank every single person who donated, their sacrifices have not been in vain,’ says Rochelle, who is now encouraged anew to support other struggling students

Graphic designer LISA PEIGNON (49) grew up in Zimbabwe and Cape Town, the eldest of five children. She studied at the Cape Technikon and married Frenchman Jean-Philippe, who works in property. They have two children and live in Cape Town’s Rondebosch

‘IT’S BEEN HUMBLING AND FANTASTIC to support a boy and his mom. I prayed to be useful and believe God put Rochelle’s name on my heart. I’d had grand thoughts of helping many children but now realise it’s good to start small. When I posted Alex’s plight on a Cape Town Facebook group called The Village, I got an overwhelming response offering various items. Financial donors also came on board and everything that came in went to very specific things for Alex.

‘Everything that came in went to very specific things for Alex,’ says Lisa, who was overwhelmed by support she received from her social network. This included a phone that Alex could receive study notes on, a bed of his own to sleep in and a clothing rail to help him get organised. We have to say that the height differentials in this photo did make us wonder for a minute, who ‘adopted’ who? 😀

Experiencing Rochelle’s euphoria gave it back to me tenfold. I don’t think I’ve ever been thanked so much in my life! I keep telling her and Alex that it’s not really me. I believe that when the Holy Spirit prompts, all you have to do is say yes and things happen! You can make an incredible impact on somebody’s life just by being available.

I think Adopt A Matric has legs if we can get a bit of structure going. I believe God put Rochelle’s name on my heart, so I keep asking Him for guidance, energy and funds. If anyone would like to get involved, I’d love them to contact me.’

ALEX SAYS…

‘It was a night I’ll remember for the rest of my life!’ says Alex, seen here leaving for his Matric dance on the red carpet a friend of Rochelle organised | Photo: Nicky Elliott

‘I’M SO HAPPY I achieved a Bachelor’s Pass and can study further! I’m now waiting to see what courses I can do. I so appreciate everything Auntie Lisa did for me, especially the new phone so I could get study notes from school. I’d always hoped to go to my Matric ball but, as the year went on, it didn’t look possible.

I thank God for my mother who always motivates me, and for Auntie Lisa who came into my life at the right time. I’d really like to help someone else because I know there are kids out there that would like to attend a Matric dance, but maybe their parents aren’t working or there are other difficult circumstances.

I advise all Matric students to study hard and not let their situation determine where they are going in life. I had to work hard through difficult situations and circumstances but it really paid off. Tough circumstances can actually make you strong and motivate you to do better.’

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