The Story of “Precious” and Dr Mike.
(printed as received)
We have a beach cottage on the Pondoland Wild Coast, and go there a few times a year at School holidays.
One day this skinny, scruffy looking 9 year old young boy, “Precious”, with the most enormous smile, came asking for work. We already had a helper and did not need him, but he very obviously needed us.
Mike said he could assist him with the general maintenance on the cottage. He cut the grass, a few overhanging branches and handed Mike the nails and tools, and watched.
He was paid, was well fed, given books and clothes, and was encouraged to continue his education and just generally made to feel important and special.
One time when Mike was buying new building material he took Precious to the “big Town” and spoilt him rotten. He took him to a Café for a milkshake and Burger, and bought him new clothes and shoes.
This work Precious happily did for many years. As he got older he progressed to being taught how to use the power tools, to drill and cut, and to float concrete, etc.
One holiday the men put in a drop loo, with Precious involved all the way! He helped dig the pit, level and mark the area, float the floor, put in the seat, the extractor pipes, and put on the roof.
Precious then disappeared.
He was next seen 3 years later in Durban, looking rather scruffy and homeless. We all greeted each other with joy, got the latest news, and he was given some money to “spoil Himself.”
4 years later we gave a lift to a neat and smart young man, who was wearing a jacket.
It was Precious!
He was overjoyed to see us, and enthusiastically spent the next half an hour filling us in on all the news, his dreams and his ambitions. He had worked in both Durban and Cape Town, had gone off the rails completely, and then realized he should come home and settle down.
He was currently building toilets for all and sundry, and was doing so well, he had stated to build a house and was considering taking a wife!
When we asked him where he had learnt this all he remarked with amazement “But baba, remember you taught me to build the toilet, and use the tools, so that is what I am doing now!”
Our little bit of care and teaching had helped this young man to feel good about himself, and to aspire to greater things than just being a herd boy.
We were so humbled! - Caro Smit