Leisha

Welfare

Leisha and her children lived in a cold damp house in an industrial area and the children were not eating properly. It was so cold that they went to bed early just to keep warm.

The family came to the notice of their local Salvation Army when one of Leisha’s sons started playing up at school. He joined The Salvation Army’s Sportzlife Programme, which helps turn around the lives of young people with behavioural problems.

A Salvation Army staff member visited the family at home and learned first-hand about their bleak situation. The Sallies set to work to help improve their lives in practical ways. This included chopping wood so they could keep warm and advocating to the authorities on their behalf for better housing. Leisha also went on a six-week Salvation Army cooking course, where she learned about healthy food, budgeting, and preparing quick, cost-effective and nutritious meals.

‘It’s not only good for them but also more filling. I feel I have more ways to use ingredients now and more diverse ways of using foods.’

Says Leisha: ‘It’s good knowing that there is someone there who can help. I can call up the Salvation Army and talk to them about issues and I feel more connected. The help we got has been pretty awesome.’