Julia's Story

​ Julia’s Story
 
Nakekela my Home
Nakekela a place of Love
Nakekela a place of Peace
Nakekela a place of God
 
My name is Julia Mthimunye and am married with two sons. I stay near Nakekela and I used to rent a room at Nakekela before it become a Community Centre. I started to work part time as a domestic worker in 1998 when I was still at school at the age of 16 years old.
In 2011 the project called CPW was formed and it is where I started to see how committed I am to work for my community. I love Nakekela because I have good memories of Nakekela. At CPW we were working together with other organisations in the community such as Police Stations, Schools, crèches, Clinics, Dumping sites, Churches and NGO’s. We came to Nakekela to help during the kitchen shift of Mrs Masuku.  They were so kind to me and that encouraged me to ask Mrs Grobler if I could come the following day to help finish up the ironing. As I volunteered to help she did not allow me to work for free but paid me a small stipend. Nakekela is a place of healing spiritually, physically and emotionally.
Following this Dorcas Mathibela, the General Manager, called me to come and work part time in the kitchen and I would run quickly and go to work at Nakekela (as I stay on the next plot). The Nakekela staff welcomed me with warm hands in 2012 when I was employed to work full time at Nakekela as a housekeeper. When I started to work at Nakekela I did not know anything about HIV/AIDS even though there is some information on radio, television and the newspaper.  Since I had a lack of interest but I learned a lot since I started to work at Nakekela. From June 2015 I started doing HIV/AIDS training and presentations with the training team to NPO’s youth groups, police, church members and their pastors and other community members.
In July 2017 I was promoted to be the Kitchen Manager, I could not believe it at first, I was overwhelmed with joy and was crying as I looked back at where I came from. To manage people is not easy but with God is nothing impossible. Thank God for the management team which helps me to be a better leader. Dorcas Mathibela, the General Manager, leads by example and always advises and encourages us to pray and ask Wisdom from God. I am proud to say at Nakekela we have a wonderful mother sister/friend, and hope to grow to be more like her.  I learned more about who God is at Nakekela and learned to invite him into everything I do. Psalm 122:6-9 encourages me a lot. Nakekela is a sweet home, a place of peace and helps many people to improve their lives and I am very thankful I am one of them.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! "May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!" For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, "Peace be within you!" For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.
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