As we celebrate Woman’s day, in commemoration of the thousands of South African women who protested against the injustices of Apartheid, let us also acknowledge those women who continue to fight injustice and the selfless women who give up their time and experience to help those in need.
Vodacom volunteer, Nelia van Deventer is currently sharing her project management know-how at the Family and Marriage Society of South Africa (FAMSA), which offers a host of free therapeutic services to help women of the community deal with issues such as rape, abuse, family violence and other urgent social problems. FAMSA is one of 10 Non Profit Organisations taking part in the Vodacom Change the World initiative.
Through the programme these organisations are given access to a volunteer resource which they would otherwise not have been able to afford – a skilled and experienced professional to impart their expertise to the NPO and assist in making them more sustainable
Nelia says: "Having a family of my own, I know the importance of a strong family unit. Building and maintaining functional relationships is essential to creating empowered communities and I would like to show others the important work FAMSA does in this regard, not only so those that need assistance receive it, but also so that the organisation will be supported."
Over the years the organisation has assisted countless women, their families and even the perpetrators of abuse to overcome this issue. Ruby Neels has experienced first-hand the positive impact of FAMSA.
Neels shares: "A few years ago I was on the brink of getting divorced from my husband who, at the time, was not working, drinking heavily, hitting me and having affairs. I myself used to smoke, drink and party. Through my work as a police officer, I came to hear about FAMSA and their counselling programmes. My husband and I both attended these and as a result our marriage was saved."
Neels says that through FAMSA they have learnt how to handle their problems and to not attack each other personally. Her husband also took anger management classes and has never hit her since. She says that she too has changed and now understands her rights as a woman and that there are ways in which to deal with abuse.
She has also become part of the woman’s network at the police department and often directs victims of abuse to FAMSA for help. She has even been asked to speak at events on women’s rights and has helped educate other women in the community about abuse and women’s rights.
Furthermore, she and her colleagues have now learnt how to deal with victims through the training offered by the organisation.
"Today I have a great relationship with FAMSA and am impressed by their willingness to assist on cases at any time of the day or night as well as the extent to which the organisation understands this community and their needs," enthuses Neels.
FAMSA’s Upington director Christiaan du Plessis says: "Our dream is to contribute towards a community of total wellness. We are dedicated to promoting human dignity and worth by assisting individuals, couples, families, ‘workplace families’ and communities to empower themselves and build, reconstruct and maintain functional relationships through our programmes."
SA - the Good News
Steuart has done some 500 talks on South Africa's progress since 1994 and SA's prospects for the future' 
