Safety mom finds joy in helping others

URSULA Peters wears many hats: she's the owner of an educare centre, a foster mother, rescue mother, entrepreneur and activist.

Peters has three children of her own and six children in safe care, including 1-month-old twins.

The twins were placed in her care two weeks ago.

Just over a decade ago, when Peters's biological children needed her most, she was forced to put her career on hold. She had worked at early childhood development centres (ECDs), including as a library assistant.

Her daughter, Rochelle, who is now 23, was in primary school at the time and was caring for her two younger siblings while Peters worked.

Peters decided to stop work and become a full-time mother.

But six years ago, her destiny changed when she was encouraged to open her own ECD. This meant she would still be able to spend time with her own children.

Today, she is the proud owner of Mini Footsteps Kindergarten in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, and is a safety mother for the Department of Social Development.

She also runs a feeding scheme under the name of Golden Oldies which is run by elderly women in her community.

Peters often arranges marches for gender-based violence awareness.

She donated 3 000 books to her community, placing them in her ECD centre so others could access them.

Peters said she was now on a mission to help break the cycle of children who aren't registered with the Department of Home Affairs because of social ills and the parents' lack of education.

“There are many times when I am called in as a safety mother that I find that children are not registered. Some in our communities are as old as 11 years of age,” she added.

“We as safety mothers have that challenge of having to register children. Two weeks ago, I was called to take in the twins.”

Peters said when one of her own family member's children were in need of a safe house, she jumped in to help and that set her on the path to becoming a safety mother.

“There are a lot of challenges that one faces as a safety mother. Children come from homes where there is sexual abuse or drug abuse and some aren't registered with Home Affairs.”

Peters has her hands full but has a team ready to help her, including her daughter and family.

“Sometimes it can become exhausting but the rewards are to see the end product. What motivates me is the word of God. I tell myself if no one will stand up for them, who will?

“No one gives birth to a gangster and I am just trying to change the narrative for these children to change their lives.”

Rochelle said her mother inspired her and everyone in her community.

“As a female and as the eldest child, I am learning a lot from my mother,” she said.

“At times it can be frustrating and tiring but it is a blessing to be part of this.”