da r k n e s s m e e T s Lov e
Behind the face of every street lady who walks through the door of Tamar Village lies a shattered
past. They have never known safety. Most had parents who were either incarcerated, drug
addicts, alcoholics or gamblers; who were never around and were extremely abusive. As children,
they had to fend for themselves. They learnt to lie, cheat, steal, to walk the streets the same way
their mothers did and succumbed to the seductiveness of dysfunction. Their closest never loved
them in ways they should, and it wrecked their self-worth. They don’t believe they are worthy of
a good life, a good job, or non-abusive relationships. Like their parents, they turned to drugs and
alcohol to numb their pain because they feel so much shame.
These ladies are by-products of their broken past and are terrified that their children will end up
like them. They weep when they speak of their little ones whom they love deeply, but are lost when
it comes to loving in the right way . Lowly-educated, they don’t know how to enrol their children in
schools, or seek social and healthcare services. When they are intoxicated, their children suffer
the consequences: neglect and family violence. Unless broken, their deepest fears will become a
reality, and the vicious cycle of poverty, violence, abuse of drugs and alcohol, are likely to repeat
themselves in their children’s lives, and the generations to come.
IF WE CARE FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION AND SOCIETY,
THEN THE LIVES OF THESE CHILDREN MATTER GREATLY BECAUSE
THEY WILL MAKE UP THE FACES OF OUR SOCIETY’S FUTURE.
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