Jabulani's Story

Jabulani means "Happy". We met him while pouring the concrete, but he had also helped previously with tearing down the old Molweni house. He cut his arm pretty badly but wouldn't let Alicia (the doctor) treat him (even with gloves) because of his blood. Jabulani told us how he was repeatedly raped when he was younger. And eventually he found himself stealing from people, specifically from one old man, without reason sometimes. He told us how eventually he found himself in prison, where he was both physically and sexually abused. At some point in prison, he came to a realization, and decided to make positive changes in his life. He was eventually released, and is still unemployed, but has started making some woodworking and leather stuff to sustain himself. He says that now, when he is treated unfairly, or is robbed or anything, he is not angry. He knows it is because he is doing penance for his previous sins (as he says it). He is always helping us, regardless of how hurt or in pain he may be.
The amazing thing about Jabulani's story for me, was that he had brought about change in his life in both positive and negative ways. At first, the change was negative when he began stealing from others. But the idea that one always has the power to make positive changes from the self-realization process is entirely comforting.