Nonzwakazi, Child & youth care worker
"As a child & youth care worker, I’ve seen how one hug can calm a child after a nightmare or a hard day. A hug says ‘you’re safe now.’ It opens the door to healing."
For Nonzwakazi, caring for children at GBTSA means more than supervision, “it means being a steady presence in their moments of fear and sadness”, she said. She’s witnessed how a child wakes in tears from a nightmare, or returns heavy-hearted after a difficult day. And each time, one simple gesture — a hug — has the power to calm them. To Nonzwakazi, every hug whispers “you’re safe now,” and in that moment, healing begins.
Bathabile, GBTSA Alumni
"When I was a teenager at GBTSA, I felt invisible. One hug from my family home parent reminded me that I mattered. That hug gave me hope for my future."
Growing up, Bathabile often felt unseen and unheard. At GBTSA, she found a place where her presence truly mattered. One day, after a particularly hard week, her family home parent wrapped her in a hug that said more than words ever could “you are valued, you belong.” That moment became a turning point, planting a seed of hope that carried her into her future. Today, as an alumna, she remembers that single hug as the spark that ignited her hope and reminded her she was never invisible.
Kelvin, Age 12
"When I first arrived at Girls and Boys Town South Africa, I was scared. My first hug when I arrived made me feel safe again."
When Kelvin walked through the gates of GBTSA, he carried more fear than hope. Everything was new — new faces, new routines, and a new home. But one small moment changed everything: a warm hug from his caregiver. It told him, without words, “you are safe here.” For Kelvin, that first embrace wasn’t just comfort. It was the start of trust, healing, and belonging.
