Our children

As-Salaam-Alaikum,  my name is Ayesha, my husband (Ahmed) and I am the proud parents of two adopted boys (Ebrahim 5 years old & Uthmaan 2 years old). Fortunately, my husband and I are blessed to have adopted two boys at the age of 2 months and 4 months respectively. Our boys are gifts from God in every way possible as is every child. My world is “perfect” in so many words, I have a job; a home and a family that I adore and love.

Over the last few days, an orphanage in Cape Town has made the news and not in a good way. The director of the orphanage has been arrested on charges of fraud and corruption. The orphanage has also been closed not only for the fraud and corruption charge against its director but because of sexual abuse allegations.  Thankfully, all the children have been moved to a place of safety.

As a mom/parent, I am deeply saddened by this. I sit with a broken heart trying to figure out how this possible and who is responsible, who is to blame.  How is it that in today’s society we hear of a child that has been sexually abused, kidnapped or murdered and it seems like no one is doing anything about it.

How do we change? How can we make our community safer for our children? Why has society changed? Have our values changed?

Am I the only one that wants change?

I remember when my husband and I were interviewed as potential candidates to adopt a child, the social worker asked us what is our support system. At the time we didn’t have to think twice about the people in our life. Our family and friends are our biggest support system, these amazing people would emotionally and physically support us in raising our children. After 10 minutes of talking about our support system, and we could have gone on for longer, our social worker stopped us and summed it up perfectly “it takes a community/tribe to raise a child”.

So what happened to the community/tribe for these kids?

To quote Tata Madiba “History will judge us by the difference we make in everyday lives of children”.

Let's start making a difference.

Ayesha.