Stories

When we share our stories, understanding, empathy and trust grow. Our relationships improve and we get a stronger sense of community. At Heartlines, we’ve seen how story-sharing has impacted and connected thousands of people beyond anything we could have imagined. Here are some of those stories.

All stories

Storytelling breaks stereotypes about criminals

Father Babychan Arackathara has been working as a chaplain in SA’s prisons for over 20 years. He is an advocate of the human rights of prisoners and restorative justice, bringing healing to offenders as well as victims and their families.

Learning and loving through friendship

Justine and Ivy have decades between them, but their bond is made strong by mutual respect and love.

My eating disorder is al baie lank deel van my lewe

Amanda vertel oor haar stryd met eating disorders, wat na daarna toe gelei het en haar daaglikse geveg om dit te oorwin.

My neighbours thought I was a drug dealer

Growing up in Congo-Brazzaville, Cherry was encouraged to stand in solidarity with South Africans suffering under apartheid. Now living in South Africa Africa, he unfortunately is not seeing this solidarity reciprocated.

My journey of growth

I got called names like “kwerekwere” because I couldn’t speak or understand any of the South African languages.

Motherhood brought me home

Motherhood brought with it a gift of love, but it also brought Morongoa necessary, tough lessons about life. When she became a mother, she began to understand her mother’s perspective.

Healing the legacy of apartheid in Lenasia

Russel Abrahams, a pastor in Lenasia, is using stories to help bridge divides in his community and a neighbouring area.

My mother gave me up for adoption

Mmashikwane’s view and experience of family changed radically when she was 10. Hers is a story of learning the value of family and community.

My career looks different to what I'd imagined

Using the skills she learned in the corporate world, Koinonia Baloyi found a way to live out her passion for community development and begin something that is not only changing her community, but her too, for the better.

A story of resilience and loving above all else

A story of resilience and love, above all else

Aspiring film producer Lyndall Stephenson on her What's Your Story? experience in SA.

I don't know where to place myself

Joao Pedro was born in South Africa to parents who are immigrants, and although he is proud of his Angolan-South African heritage, he still finds it hard to define his identity.

I did not think of it as prostitution

Growing up, Hilda’s family struggled financially, but when she fell pregnant in high school, things became harder. After dropping out of school, she decided to become a sex worker to provide for her family.

What's Your Story - Church