Caring Hands

There was a time when I truly believed my family and I were going to lose everything.

I was working as a refrigeration repairman, driving home after a normal day, when my life changed in an instant. I was hijacked and violently attacked. One man struck my arm with a machete, leaving permanent damage. Another crushed my fingers. To this day, I cannot move them properly. There was blood everywhere. The pain was unbearable but worse than the pain was the fear.

In that moment, I believed I was going to die.

After the attack, I could no longer work. Without work, there was no income. Without income, I could not pay my bond. Month after month, I tried everything, reaching out to organisations, churches, radio stations, newspapers anyone who might help. No one came.

Then the letter arrived.

A final notice from the bank. If I did not settle the arrears within 30 days, my home would be repossessed. My family would be on the street.

I remember holding that letter and realising something I had never faced before: I could not fix this.

The days counte...