He knows quite a bit about adversity. He's been orphaned, homeless and was the eldest in a child headed home.
And he knows he's not the only one. This is why he wants to motivate others with his book, titled Light to the Darkness, about his life from the age of 16 years old.
Thabo Simon Jama (33) shares the story of losing his mother at a young age, being homeless, and having to take on the parental role of raising his brother, who was only six years old at the time.
The self-published author says the book is to motivate people who feel hopeless, alone, and who have suffered trauma.
“I chose that title because I wish for my words to bring light to those who feel like they are symbolically in the dark,” Thabo says.
“It is a short but reflective read which aims to inspire people to take the necessary steps to live a more content and fulfilled life."
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He was raised by his single domestic worker mother Jane Marreiki Jama in Tarlton, Krugersdorp until he was 16 years. She passed away from HIV related illnesses in 2004 when his younger brother Seun Rapule Jama (26) was 6 years old.
“My mom passed away on my brother’s birthday,” Thabo says.
“Life became a challenge, family members were not there to assist and I started going around trying to find a place for me and my brother to live,” he says.
When she died, they lived with different people; friends, extended family members but never had a home of their own.
“I spoke to my younger brothers’ teachers about finding him a place to stay because he was young and one of the white parents at his school took him in and I was left to find myself a place.”
While moving around, Thabo would meet people and some would help him.
“I ended up in the streets begging with no food and begging people for money,” he says. For years, he lived on handouts and knocking on doors asking for work, food, and anything people could offer.
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While hustling in the streets, he never gave up trying to find a job and eventually got lucky and was hired as a sales assistant.
“I was being given an opportunity to be a sales assistant and casual till operator where I was allocated a few hours a week,” Thabo says.
“With the salary; I managed to pay rent for a small backyard room in Kagiso,” he says. “Being clean, having a roof over my head, and waking up with a purpose opened more opportunities for me.”
He heard Truworths was looking for permanent staff and he applied. “I was hired and earned enough money to take my brother to live with me and worked until he completed out Grade 12,” Thabo says.
When his younger brother was old enough to take care of himself, Thabo used his salary to do a part-time course in trauma counselling. Along the way, he heard of the Mbalenhle community centre in Tshepisong that was hiring people to be counsellors and youth development trainers.
“I was hired as a counsellor. I already had a love and passion for helping people. I understood grief, loss, and having nothing. I wanted to help people who came from similar environments as me or were faced with personal challenges of lack of self-motivation and confidence.”
Thabo used his experience as a trauma counsellor to help publish his book and uses his life story to help others.
“When I was in the streets, I knew my life had a purpose and meaning. I was destined for bigger things,” he says.
Last year, Thabo launched Black 888, an organisation helping young people deal with trauma.
“Because of the pandemic, we have managed to assist some families with food parcels and by donating clothing items. We offer counselling sessions to those in need, and all this comes from our own pockets and small donations made by community members."
Thabo wishes for his book to be donated to orphanages and homes where children who have been orphaned can read about his life and get a sense of hope.
"I want them to know they are not alone."
