“As a social worker at Abraham Kriel Children’s Home Nylstroom I have the daily privilege of guiding children on their life paths. Today I would like to share two learners’ remarkable journey with you,” says Charnel Oberholzer, social worker at Abraham Kriel Children’s Home Nylstroom.

Two of our girls, Cassey Stehouwer and Tijana Bosman, were recently selected for a tour for academic high achievers. With their outstanding academic records, they join a group touring Ireland from 3 to 13 October 2025. For children from a children’s home to come this far is extraordinary  ̶  it speaks of hard work, perseverance and hope.

When the invitation arrived, my mind immediately went to the challenges: finances, fairness towards other children, administration and the great responsibility of making this dream possible. But with the help of our marketer, Marlien de Villiers, and the incredible support of sponsors, I soon realised the biggest obstacle was not money  ̶  it was my own mindset.

The process was anything but easy: from visa applications and paperwork to waiting for documents and the tension about whether we would get everything done in time. Yet the two girls kept surprising me. They remained patient, motivated each other and even gave me hope when I began to doubt. Where I was supposed to calm them, it was often I who needed to be calmed.

This journey taught me valuable lessons:

• Hope is stronger than obstacles.
• We are never alone ̶  teamwork carries dreams.
• Children in a children’s home are incredibly resilient. They know what it means to make do with little, yet they firmly believe that dreams are achievable.

My wish to every child out there: Your dreams matter. You matter. Hold on, even if your hope feels as small as a mustard seed.

And to every adult: Do not get so stuck in your own obstacles that you derail a child’s dreams.