Kokie goes to Russia
At Abraham Kriel Bambanani (AKB), we are privileged to witness the quiet resilience of children who overcome unimaginable odds – and sometimes, their stories take them across the world.
Kokie joined the Westbury Community Care Programme in 2016, alongside his younger brother. After the loss of their mother and the declining health of their father (who shortly thereafter passed), the brothers found love and safety in the care of AKB. Kokie, who was just 11 years old at the time, carried a quiet strength. Initially, Kokie could be described as reserved and cautious. He attended a school for the visually impaired, which made it difficult to build lasting connections with the other children in his house.
In 2020, Kokie joined the Youth Space Satellite home and for the first time, he had the chance to form deep friendships and truly feel like he belonged. With time, he blossomed into a thoughtful, caring young man – one who looked out for others and embraced life with hope and courage. He has always been a keen soccer player and had a dream to become a professional soccer player.
At the end of 2023, at the age of 18 years, Kokie moved to the Johannesburg Society for the Blind. It was a big step and one that took bravery, but he rose to the occasion and thrived. With the skills he acquired during his stay at AKB he adapted well and he was able to make his dream a reality.
In December 2024, Kokie represented South Africa at the BRICS Blind Soccer Tournament in Russia – not only did he represent his country with pride, but he also returned home with the Best Tournament Player award, which is a remarkable achievement for someone who was never considered a “sporty” child growing up.
“Kokie developed into a caring young man. He had deep thoughts and showed concern for others. He was nervous to leave AKB, but he rose to the occasion, and we are incredibly proud of the young man he is becoming.”
-Sheree, Social Worker at AKB
“Everyone at AKB helped me to get to Russia. They believed in me and helped me to believe in myself. If I did not end up at AKB, I would have never gone to Russia.” – Kokie
Stories like Kokie’s* are a testament to why we do what we do here at AKB, and is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when children are given the chance to grow and heal in a safe and loving environment. We are grateful for the support of our donors, who help us to help children like Kokie.
Kokie in Rusland
By Abraham Kriel Bambanani (AKB) is ons bevoorreg om elke dag die veerkragtigheid van kinders wat ondenkbare teenspoed oorkom het te aanskou – en soms neem hul stories hulle oor die hele wêreld.
Kokie en sy jonger broer het in 2016 by die Westbury Gemeenskapsorgprogram aangesluit. Na die verlies van hul moeder en die verswakkende gesondheid van hul vader (wat kort daarna oorlede is), het die broers liefde en veiligheid in die sorg van AKB gevind. Kokie, wat destyds slegs 11 jaar oud was, is dikwels beskryf as skaam, teruggetrokke en versigtig. Sy gesiggestremdheid het veroorsaak dat hy homself soms afgesonder het. Hy het ‘n skool vir gesiggestremdes bygewoon, en het gesukkel om vriendskapsbande binne en buite die gesin te vorm.
In 2020 is Kokie permanent in die sorg van AKB geplaas en het in die Youth Space Satelliet Huis gewoon. Dit is hier waar hy vir die eerste keer gevoel het dat hy iewers “behoort” en kon hy verhoudings en vriendskappe vorm met die kinders in sy huis . Met die liefde en ondersteuning van sy Huisouers en Maatskaplike werker het hy ontwikkel in ‘n bedagsame jongman – een wat na ander omsien en die lewe met hoop en moed omhels het. Hy was nog altyd ‘n ywerige sokkerspeler en het ‘n droom gehad om ‘n professionele sokkerspeler te word.
Aan die einde van 2023, op die ouderdom van 18 jaar, het Kokie by die Johannesburgse Vereniging vir Blindes aangesluit. Dit was ‘n groot stap en een wat dapperheid geverg het, maar met die selfvertroue and vaardighede wat hy by AKB geleer het, het hy goed aangepas en kon hy sy droom verwesenlik.
In Desember 2024 het Kokie Suid-Afrika verteenwoordig by die BRICS Blinde Sokkertoernooi in Rusland – Hy het nie net sy land met trots verteenwoordig nie, maar hy het ook die toekening vir “Beste speler van die Toernooi” ontvang. Wat ‘n merkwaardige prestasie is vir iemand wat nooit as “sportief” beskou is nie en soms te huiwerig was om buite sy eie omgewing te beweeg.
“Kokie het ontwikkel in ‘n selfstandige jongman, met ‘n besorgdheid vir ander. Hy was senuweeagtig om AKB te verlaat, maar ons het geweet hy is toegrus met die vaardighede om ‘n sukses van sy lewe te maak. Sowaar, hy het elke geleentheid aangegryp, en ons is ongelooflik trots op die jongman wat hy geword het.”
-Sheree, Maatskaplike Werker by AKB
“Almal by AKB het my gehelp om na Rusland te gaan. Hulle het in my geglo en my gehelp om in myself te glo. As ek nie by AKB beland het nie, sou ek nooit na Rusland gegaan het nie, dalk nie eers sokker gespeel het nie.” – Kokie
Stories soos die van Kokie spoor ons aan, om aan te hou doen wat ons doen by AKB. Ons is ook dankbaar vir die ondersteuning van donateurs wat ons help om kinders soos Kokie te help. Kokie is ‘n wonderlike voorbeeld van wat moontlik is wanneer kinders die kans kry om te groei en te genees in ’n veilige en liefdevolle omgewing.