Relebohile ‘Nona (20) lost both her parents Molefe and his wife ‘Mamoelo ‘Nona in 2004 and 2005 respectively, living her in the care of her grandmother (‘Mannona) who is now 90 years old. The fact that she had lost both her mother and father when she was just a toddler, Relebohile does not have any memory of her parents as she was raised by her grandmother.
The family lives at Bulu-Bulu village in Mohale’s Hoek. They lived in two dilapidated houses made of mud, sticks and stones with corrugated iron sheets. Due to the financial constraints, ‘Mannona could not afford to carry on renovating her houses as a result the living conditions deteriorated. The family did not have sanitation facilities and therefore, they used their neighbour latrine to relieve themselves which were also not in good conditions.
They survive on old age pension grant that ‘Mannona receives on monthly basis at the amount of M850.00 (USD 50.00) as well as the child grant Relebohile receives on quarterly basis at the mount of M350.00 (USD 20.00). The ‘Nona family could not afford to build their own homes, a new home therefore meant a number of things for Relebohile and her grandmother – security, safety, and a healthier environment that allows her to focus better on her studies for improved performance in school. She just completed Grade 11 at Mohale’s Hoek High School and her results were not good. She wants to supplement her results in 2024 as She aspires to be a nurse so that she can assist in taking care of people in her village.