Janine van der Merwe is a devoted single mom to her beautiful, loving 4-year-old daughter, Lily. Together, they have made the incredibly difficult decision to leave South Africa and start over in the United States through the refugee program, hoping to build a safer and more secure future.
Their journey has not been an easy one.
Janine’s mother was personally affected by a horrific farm attack in South Africa. During the attack, Janine’s mother was subjected to unimaginable violence, including being burned, hanged and tortured for more than three hours. Experiences like this leave a lasting impact, and Janine made the courageous decision to seek a safer life for herself and Lily.
Starting over in a new country is difficult for anyone. For a single mother doing it alone, the challenges can feel overwhelming. Janine is determined to work, become independent and provide Lily with the stable and safe childhood every little girl deserves.
One of the biggest obstacles standing in their way right now is transportation.
Janine desperately needs a reliable vehicle so that she can get to work, take Lily to appointments and school, shop for groceries, and manage the everyday responsibilities of raising a young child. She isn't looking for anything fancy or extravagant, just a dependable car that will give her the ability to work and provide for the two of them.
We are asking our community to come together and help give Janine and Lily a little bit of a head start as they begin this new chapter.
Every donation, no matter the amount, will bring them one step closer to having reliable transportation and the independence Janine needs to build a life for her & Lily.
Please help us support Janine and Lily as they rebuild their lives, find security and create a brighter future in their new home. ❤️
Thank you for standing beside this brave mom and her little girl during such an important and challenging time. Every act of kindness truly makes a difference. 🇿🇦❤️🇺🇸
My name is Kirsten Horton, a volunteer who assists refugees, & I have been assisting Janine since she arrived in the United States. We will be helping Janine with the use of the funds raised towards purchasing a vehicle and insurance.
