For several gruelling weeks, this well-known South African TV personality underwent very difficult conditions on the Mocambican island in order to try and win as the ultimate survivor - with a prize of R500,000 for the charity of her choice..JPG)
On the right is Ashley in her stage persona.
On the left is Ashley during Survivor!
She played the most amazing strategic game, always with the children in mind and with the goal of raising this money for The Homestead.
We attended the nail-biting Finale in Johannesburg on 21st April, where Ashley was voted best player by the general public, but unfortunately voted out by her fellow players who she had outsmarted during the show, using various strategies. In fact, Ashley played like a street child - using her wits and manipulating others to get what she needed!
During her gruelling stay on the island, the Homestead Director sent her this letter to encourage her to continue:
24th November 2009
Dear Survivor
Thank you for choosing The Homestead, which helps the most vulnerable and damaged children in our society. Thank you for recognizing their strong will to survive. As you are struggling to survive now……….
When things are tough, don’t give up. Remember that street children have been through just as much pain as you. Think of them sleeping on hard pavements and doorways with no shelter from the rain, heat or cold. Think of the hunger always, always gnawing at their stomachs. They feel dirty, and smell dirty, but they can’t wash. Most of all, they suffer because they don’t have love and protection and adult guidance. Think of how hollow their hearts must feel.
Street children are not only running away from awful situations of neglect and abuse – they are also running towards people who can help them. You are one of those people. You give meaning to the hope in their hearts that some day someone will care enough to help them. You must survive – for the children!
Because if you win, your contribution will go toward the Child and Youth Care Centre we want to build in Khayelitsha next year. This centre will accommodate 75 boys who were living on the streets but are now in The Homestead’s care, back at school, learning to respect themselves and other, learning that it is safe to love and be loved, learning how it feels just to be a child. The Centre will help hundreds of boys over the years to come. And it will stand as a monument to your will to survive.
When you feel that you cannot go on, remember that we are with you. There are 100 boys in The Homestead’s care today. That’s 100 hearts singing for you, 100 spirits surrounding you with love, 100 voices cheering you on, 200 arms around you, 200 hands holding you up.
Don’t give up. Survive as street children survive. Do it as your legacy to children who are hurting but who can be healed. We’re so proud of you.
On behalf of all The Homestead children and staff
Sandra Morreira
DIRECTOR
Dear Survivor
Thank you for choosing The Homestead, which helps the most vulnerable and damaged children in our society. Thank you for recognizing their strong will to survive. As you are struggling to survive now……….
When things are tough, don’t give up. Remember that street children have been through just as much pain as you. Think of them sleeping on hard pavements and doorways with no shelter from the rain, heat or cold. Think of the hunger always, always gnawing at their stomachs. They feel dirty, and smell dirty, but they can’t wash. Most of all, they suffer because they don’t have love and protection and adult guidance. Think of how hollow their hearts must feel.
Street children are not only running away from awful situations of neglect and abuse – they are also running towards people who can help them. You are one of those people. You give meaning to the hope in their hearts that some day someone will care enough to help them. You must survive – for the children!
Because if you win, your contribution will go toward the Child and Youth Care Centre we want to build in Khayelitsha next year. This centre will accommodate 75 boys who were living on the streets but are now in The Homestead’s care, back at school, learning to respect themselves and other, learning that it is safe to love and be loved, learning how it feels just to be a child. The Centre will help hundreds of boys over the years to come. And it will stand as a monument to your will to survive.
When you feel that you cannot go on, remember that we are with you. There are 100 boys in The Homestead’s care today. That’s 100 hearts singing for you, 100 spirits surrounding you with love, 100 voices cheering you on, 200 arms around you, 200 hands holding you up.
Don’t give up. Survive as street children survive. Do it as your legacy to children who are hurting but who can be healed. We’re so proud of you.
On behalf of all The Homestead children and staff
Sandra Morreira
DIRECTOR
Ashley said that this letter helped her to keep going when she was feeling really low. As a result of her achieving second position in Survivor, Ashley won an amazing R200,000 for The Homestead. We also received R20,000 from Liquifruit and R10,000 vouchers from Pick 'n Pay. And she isn't stopping there! She will be attending the ground breaking ceremony for our new Child and Youth Care Centre, and has lots of ideas to raise more money for the building.We still need another R1.5 million to build the Early Intervention Centre and Community Hall.
Thank you, Ashley, for your amazing personal contribution to our work with street children. You will help to change many lives over the next years when the centre can provide quality developmental care to the children.
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