When it comes to certain things, I am a creature of habit

It does give me grounding, stability, direction and a sense of management in my life .

Of course the spontaneous is never far behind and knows to bring great joy and happiness and new unexpected revelations and paths to be considered.

Thus to balance the both best one can.

The tell.

When in CT, there is a certain route I walk nearly every morning.
One of the main reasons i walk that route is due to a block of flats that holds me fascinated , no matter passing of time. The dynamics , social structure , code of conduct, in a space a few stories high and many flats across.
The stench of sewerage problems pungent and overwhelming when walking by.
The most colorful of characters always to be seen.
Washing lines stretched. Full. ...and a washing line guard sitting in the opening making sure the clothes don't get nicked.

Children. Children everywhere. Unsupervised. From a little tot to a teenager. Playful.Noisy. Some stronger and more forceful than others. Tears.

Each and every unit telling of the person living behind those windows and walls.

A variation of "pride and trying my best" to the "I am lost" as well as "no self pride at all".

Right across the road is a fresh food market. One of those very European CT gems.

Talk about polar opposites.

Weekends that road becomes a nightnare.

This is where the tell is actually at.

A car guard.

A lady with 3 children. 3 little girls. The first time the eldest child looked me directly in the eyes she had me.

I could not help but, stop and ask if I could assist her with her baby sister that was crying at the top of her voice.

And our relationship began there. I think the mother read me for a cow with a kind face and started spinning her tales within seconds.

I listened. Heard. Took it away with me. Listened again the next day and weeks and on future visits to CT.

The tales changed. They stopped and then she began to talk to me. Talk to me like we knew each other.

I tried to do little things for them. All too little I felt and always walked away after spending some time with the kiddies feeling drained and sad.

Then on Saturday I saw the mother and the middle child. The mother looked worn and had lost a lot of weight.

I was told her eldest daughter, the one that had captured my heart was in Malmesbury child care.

Some teenage kids at the block of flats had cornered her and had stuck sticks and stuff up her vagina. Some people had caught them and called the authorities who called the social workers and she was taken away from her mum.

Thus the baby with a neighbour and, on that day she had been let down by a child minder for her middle daughter.

My first reaction was I need to save that child. How about adopting her. I milled and milled around the idea and then felt ashamed at myself.

Save her?

How? When I as a grown ass woman and in a space not conducive to being the best role model to a future young adult.

Yes.

I do have children of my own. Both grown up . Both very successful and I pray the Almighty keeps it that way.

I have never openly admitted to occupying the sensual space but, I know they know and we never shy away from chats about prostitution and the challenges of such. I know it has affected them. There is no use lying or wearing rose tinted glasses when it comes to that one.

Thus.

To take an 11year old under my wing and be honest and sincere with her and lie to her that it is ok to be a "prostitute" when she was violated in the most horrendous sort of way. ...even if she hadn't been.
Scars left for life and a distorted view on the world.

I am contemplating visiting the young lass and then again I wonder if my need to feel like a saviour of some sort is selfish and cruel , since my visit is all I will offer and thus, rather not go.

I am confused.

RB.

I would like to thank the 11 people to date who have sent me their views.

9 men and 2 women.

It is a delicate subject to broach and many many layers of what ifs, buts ,do's and don't as well as be carefuls.

I have begun a process with the mother to ensure her daughter receives the best possible help and counseling going fwd.

Action has been put into place to try and get all 3 of her daughter's to a more conducive surrounding for younglings with support from other family members .

The issue is much deeper than THINKING where they may be going to is better for them. Who says it is? The psychology of family dynamics has to be addressed and understood in this case.

Yes. I will be meeting the social worker too ,to learn a little more and hear a little more.

I still have ample time in CT bfr I leave.

Until such time that a more definite decision is agreed upon accepted by the social worker appointed to her case, I have opted not to see the lass.

She deserves much more than my hello and I shall try my best to make it happen.

Then I shall see what next.

Again. Thank u all.

RB.

The update...

I want to share because it was members within this Purple community, based in CT that might open up other doors that with the blessings of the Almighty will lead to longer term sustainable solutions.

Red tape is a horrid thing and a nightmare for loved ones.

I am all for procedures and policies but, sometimes one wonders who wrote them and if any logic was applied or knowing how to apply them according to circumstance and need .

Telephone numbers obtained.

Calls made.

No urgency from government departments no matter the amount of calls made or respectful ask for information share.

Children in the system stand no chance :(((...unless one is like a pitbull and never let's go.

Now my ask....

Is there anybody in CT who has a mobile phone in good working order and functions with whatsapp?


I am leaving CT on Wednesday and am looking to create a path of communication for the mother with the social workers, her family and me.

At present all communication and contact is going thru me and if anything has to be passed to her I go meet her on our usual route.

I WILL PAY FOR IT...I AM NOT ASKING FOR A FREEBIE....a,reasonably priced working phone...please.

I trust in the kindness of anybody who is able to assist.

Discretion and privacy will be observed unless u are fine to be mentioned.

Help me help a desperate mother get her daughter back and hopefully put in place an infrastructure suitable for that little family.

RB.

So, leading up to today as much as possible has been put in place before i leave Cape Town.

I have had to keep within the framework of red tape which, I have questioned and, have still not received satisfactory answers or even care been shown to respond accordingly from parties involved

Transport put in place should it be required to and back from courts etc. For the mamma in question.

A solid line of communication established.

Social workers spoken to and know that mamma ain't fighting a "losing" battle and she got someone backing her and ensuring she ain't sideswiped and forgotten just because she is a car guard and supposedly not worthy of assistance.

Promises broken I have asked to be rectified.

Now....it is on me to ensure I see this thru to an end suitable for that little family.

What is suitable? I have no idea and I am shit scared I fail them.

But.

Knowing me for the resilient pitbull I am...I have to try and keep it real, rather than romantacising what could be, spurs me on .

A start has been made.

Holding thumbs.

RB