Homeless mother and daughter find jobs
Jenni* and Samantha, the mother and daughter who are living in their car on the streets of George, have found employment at York Karwas.
After George Herald recently placed an article on their plight, the businessowner contacted the newspaper to offer them the work. After working a probationary period, Jenni (47) has been appointed in an administrative position and Samantha (23) is working in the wash bay.
"We are so grateful for the opportunity and an advance payment by the owner has enabled us to buy a few much-needed things," says Jenni.
Her two other children, who are of schoolgoing age, are currently in foster care in George. She has been down and out after escaping with her children from an abusive marriage in Volksrust and subsequently, due to circumstances beyond her control, lost the job she had found in Pietermaritzburg.
They arrived in George in 2021 where Jenni got a job at a construction company. This business was forced to close its doors as a result of the Covid pandemic. Not being able to afford rent anymore, she approached Child and Family Welfare that was able to place the two youngest children in foster care.
Jenni and Samantha have been overnighting in their car in a neighbourhood where they feel relatively safe.
"It is now possible for us to pay rent and we desperately need accommodation at an affordable price. The social worker has said that as soon as we are settled in a place, my two other children may come home. “Accommodation in George is very expensive, but we are trusting that we will find something within our budget," says Jenni.