A Social Worker Salary Contribution Gift (Digital Download)

How your gift has helped Laughter Africa children in the past:

We are so lucky to work with the most amazing team. They are not just staff- they are family. The journeys that they have travelled and the obstacles they have overcome in their lives are so awe-inspiring. Through their dedication, courage and fighting spirit they have changed so many street children's lives and I am so proud of each and everyone of them. We want to celebrate them and show them that their work does not go unnoticed. Here’s a video of some of the staff talking about their lives.

One of our social workers is Michael. This is his story: “My name is Michael. I am a social worker at Laughter Africa. I have been working at Laughter Africa for the last 6 years. The reason why I love working with street children is because I was once a street child. I lived on the streets for more than 10 years. My mum was 13 years old when she gave birth to me. My father wanted her to abort the pregnancy but she refused. My father rejected both of us. My mum wasn't able to cope so she left me in the hands of an old woman and she travelled to another country. I stayed with that woman to the age of 7 until she passed away. I had no where to go. A local gangster took me in. At the age of 7 he made me start dealing drugs for him. That man made my life become hell on the streets. He beat me every day. He made me suffer on the streets. He used a belt to flog me and hit me on my face. He gave me a cut that you can still see today. I wasn't able to cope. At the age of 25, I managed to escape and go to a garage where I managed to raise money to further my education. My proudest moment at Laughter Africa is when I remember how far I have come. When I was ten years old the gangster stabbed me with a knife in the leg then set my hands and legs on fire. Then he used a nail to scratch my legs. I am proud of who I am today as I have changed so many lives as a social worker and I am proud of the person I am today. The reason why I love Laughter is because it is part of me. I have been rejected from my family but I have found a family in Laughter Africa. They appreciate me. They encourage me. They show me love and they have transformed my life. My advice to the kids living on the streets is that you must believe in yourself. Even though you have been rejected but you still worthy of love. And you do matter!”

Another of our social workers is Isata. This is her story: “ My name is Isata. I am a social worker at Laughter Africa. I have been working at Laughter Africa for the last 6 years. And the reason why I care so much about street children is because I always see myself in them. Many a time when I listen to their stories its about them loosing a parent and having to live with a family member and they usually become engaged in child labour. They are treated in an unloving way. I always see myself in them as I lost my parents at a very young age. My aunty took me in. From the age of 10 I went through child labour. I had to sell throughout the week. Like 7 to 8 hours everyday. I had to walk two hours to go to the place where I used to sell. At that time I went through three attempted sexual assaults. I had no one to talk to about it. And I was so unloved living with my aunt. On Sundays, I had to do all the housework- while my aunt’s kids were sitting down watching TV, I had to do laundry for everyone. I had to clean. I had no chance and no time to be a child. And me making a difference in the lives of our street children makes me feel so fulfilled that I am there to support them and give them the love they need. I am so happy about my work. My proudest moment at Laughter Africa has been the last few months in our gender based violence campaign working in 8 different communities. Every Saturday I have been able to meet between 500 to 1000 girls sensitising them how to get help if they have ever been sexually assaulted and how to protect themselves. I feel so proud in empowering the girls to get justice and I look forward to every Saturday and meeting the girls. I love to work at Laughter Africa as I feel like I am part of the children's lives. I am there to support them. I am there to make a difference in their lives. I have been in contact with so many of them and I am always happy. They give me so much joy. Every day when I wake up I am so happy that I am going to see the kids. I love them so much.”

Another social worker who works at Laughter Africa is Lucy. She says, “My name is Lucy. I have been working for Laughter Africa for the past 6 to 7 years. The reason why I choose to work with street children is due to my past experience. My father was the first man to be amputated during the civil war. They cut off his two arms. He was hospitalised for 4 or 5 years. And I was staying with my relatives. I went through so much torture, domestic violence, child abuse and it was not easy to fight against these things as a child. I want to work for Laughter Africa because I can fight against domestic violence and fight against child abuse. I tell the street children that if I can fight, then they can fight too. I just want to be there for them. I will continue to fight until the end of my life. The reason why I love working at Laughter Africa is because it is like a dream come true. My life is all about being without love so Laughter Africa is a safe place. It was all I was wishing for. When I think about a safe zone. Laughter is a safe zone for me. And being with the kids- its like I am passing my strength onto them. Giving them the strength that I have.”