Karlena’s Story
Karlena’s Story
40-year-old Karlena grew up on Mooiplaas farm in Stellenbosch. When she was just 10 years old, her father sadly passed away. Her mother worked tirelessly in the vineyards on Mooiplaas to provide for Karlena and her two brothers.
As a little girl, Karlena dreamed of working with children, though she wasn’t sure how she would ever make it a reality. At the age of 16, she left school to help support her family by working alongside her mother on the farm.
After getting married and giving birth to her first child, Karlena was offered a position on Kaapzicht Wine Estate, where she was introduced to Pebbles Project for the first time. When she learnt there was a Pebbles Project Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre on the farm, she was overjoyed. Determined to pursue her dream, Karlena applied for a role as an ECD Practitioner. She was appointed and spent two fulfilling years working at the centre, before accepting a position at a crèche in town.
Unfortunately, her time at the crèche was cut short when it was converted into a tea garden, and she was forced to resign. Not long after, the Pebbles Project Youth Development Programme (YDP) Manager reached out to her with exciting news: Pebbles Project was opening its own manufacturing kitchen and encouraged Karlena to apply.
For Karlena, who has always had a passion for cooking, the opportunity felt like a perfect fit. She applied, was interviewed, and successfully hired to join the Pebbles Kitchen team. “I love what I do,” Karlena says. “I enjoy being part of a team. We work really well together, and our kitchen production manager always finds ways to motivate us.”
Karlena takes great pride in being part of a non-profit organisation that truly makes a difference. “I love working for Pebbles, because I see first-hand how great the need is out there. My mom, who lives on her own, doesn’t always have enough to eat, so I know how important our work in the Pebbles Kitchen really is. My job also allows me to help support her financially.”
When asked if she misses working with children, Karlena smiles: “It was always my childhood dream, and Pebbles helped to make that dream come true. I enjoy working in the Pebbles Kitchen just as much. I’m proud to say I help feed children and people in need. It makes me happy.”
The Pebbles Project team is incredibly proud of Karlena; of her resilience, her heart, and the meaningful role she plays each day in changing lives.
*This story captures a period in the beneficiary’s journey during their involvement with Pebbles Project and reflects their circumstances at the time it was written.