When Thomas* (23) and his 19-year-old girlfriend came to our centre, they were overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. Both young and orphaned, the couple was facing tremendous pressure from relatives who disapproved of their relationship—especially since Thomas was unemployed. His girlfriend had been forced to leave home, and in a brave act of solidarity, Thomas chose to stand by her side.

Their initial visit to the centre was driven by desperation. They were considering placing their unborn child for adoption, and we provided them with information and guidance on the process. Throughout the session, Thomas was deeply emotional, showing a powerful attachment to his unborn child. His girlfriend appeared calm, but Thomas’ vulnerability left a strong impression on us. We offered counselling, practical support in the form of food parcels and transport money, and most importantly, reassurance that they were not alone. We also connected them with a hospital social worker to assist with any adoption arrangements.

After some time, Thomas reached out to tell us that their baby boy had been born. Sadly, they had not received the expected support from the hospital’s social worker and were discharged with the baby without a clear plan. Concerned for their safety and wellbeing, we prayed for protection and guidance. We felt prompted to contact one of Thomas’ relatives—his sister—who had previously pressured him about the situation. In the meantime, her heart had softened. She agreed to support the young couple and even offered to care for the baby if needed.

Just a week before the baby was born, someone had donated a large bag full of baby clothes and essentials to our centre. We were able to pass these on to Thomas along with more food parcels. His eyes filled with tears as he received the gifts. Now, he is preparing to learn how to care for his son, and we are committed to walking this journey with him.

When Father’s Day came, we honored Thomas with a special gift. His courage, love, and growth as a young father remind us why we do this work—and we give all the glory to God.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

Submitted by: Pregnancy Help Network of South Africa

ACfL beginning from a few contacts in the late 1990’s and officially launched in 2000, we have grown to over 75 contacts. Africa Cares is a networking agency that provides services to pregnancy help centers across southern Africa.