Sima's story - from Horror to Hope - Hope and Homes for Children

Sima with her Auntie Nozi*
Juliana Van Well Dias/ Hope and Homes for Children

Pauline is a Social Worker with Hope and Homes for Children in South Africa. Her work has been key to the inspiring story of Sima*, whom she helped rescue from an orphanage and return to the love and warmth of her family.

Eight-year-old Sima was born into a world of homelessness, violence and abuse. From the day of her birth, she lived with her mother among the makeshift communities under the vast concrete bridges of Johannesburg. Sima’s father was absent from her life, and finally, with her mother in crisis and unable to give her the care she needed, Sima was taken to an orphanage.

We don’t know what happened to her there. She won’t talk about the trauma she suffered. But it’s clear that Sima’s memories of that place terrify her, even today. Pauline has been visiting Sima for over a year, to make sure this new family gets all the support they need.

“It’s always the same. Whenever I come to the house, Sima runs away and hides. Her auntie – the only person Sima trusts – goes to find her, upstairs somewhere, in a corner, shaking with fear. Eventually, Sima comes into the room. She doesn’t speak. She stays close to the door, ready to run. She’s always ready to run. I smile, and try to speak with her, but she stays silent. And that’s okay, because I know how afraid she is. She’s afraid that I have come to take her away from this warm home that is filled with love. That I’ve come to take her back to the institution that has caused her such heartache and pain. God only knows what trauma she has suffered. But despite her fear, it’s so clear – Sima is happy here, maybe for the first time in her life.”

Sima spent two years in this institution. In all that time, she had no possessions. The dormitory bed she slept in changed constantly. And the clothes she wore were not hers – she shared them with the other children.

One day, a woman came to the orphanage. The woman was nice to Sima and gave her lovely hugs. At first, Sima didn’t understand. But the woman kept coming back, and Sima soon realised that the woman didn’t do this with any other child. Just her. She realised she was special. That woman was her auntie.

She had found Sima’s mum on Facebook and had learned all about Sima. And this extraordinary woman refused to accept that a niece of hers should live like this, when she had a house, and space, and food. And so much love to give. Each time her auntie Nozi had to leave her, Sima burst into tears. She would cling onto her and beg her not to go. She was afraid her auntie would never come back. But her auntie did come back. Again and again.

A social worker contacted us about the case, and Pauline helped Nozi navigate the system required to release Sima from the orphanage. It wasn’t a simple process. Months of preparation, mountains of paperwork, child protection safeguards, and crucial support for her new family finally brought Sima Back to Family.

Now Pauline has noticed a change in Sima.

“Sima still doesn’t speak to me, but today, when I went to visit her, her auntie was telling me that Sima had started to draw pictures. As her auntie spoke, Sima crept towards me and shyly placed a piece of paper in my lap. It was a gift for me – a picture Sima had drawn of her and her new family. I don’t know if Sima will ever get over the terrible things she’s suffered, but every day she gets a little bit more confident, and a little bit happier in her world.”

Photo: Juliana Van Well Dias/Hope and Homes for Children

Sima’s story shows what a terrible toll orphanages can take on a child, and the healing power that family life can bring. Orphanages can be terrifying places for children to be confined, and can have a disastrous effect on their emotional wellbeing. Conversely, the love and support of a family can heal some of the deepest wounds, which is why we will continue to strive across the world to ensure that institutionalised children are given that chance to heal.

Together we can make orphanages history, and bring every child like Sima Back to Family.