Insecurity – 1. uncertainty or anxiety about oneself; lack of confidence. 2. the state of being open to danger or threat; lack of protection. (Oxford Online Dictionary)

Insecurity feels like a dirty word and yet it is something I’m certain we have all faced. It’s far too common in our world today to feel less than. To feel unsteady. Unsure. Unsafe. We live in a world obsessed with becoming “our best selves” only so we can be on the same level as our social media peers.

Insecurity is inclusive. It’s open to anyone and everyone about anything and everything. Insecurity lingers. It arrives in our lives too early and stays far too long. Without realizing it, we can battle the same insecurities for decades. Insecurity is persistent. It knocks on the door until you open it and becomes that obnoxious voice you can’t seem to escape.

On any given day at the Fish Hoek Dream Center, I may have up to seven children scattered around my small classroom, all with different abilities working on different homework at different levels. I love the chaos of a crowded table. It equally energizes me and drains me. These aren’t just children working on math or vocabulary words; these children are the future.

One particularly busy afternoon, I was listening to one student read a story to me while I was helping another with her math homework. Both students are in the same grade yet accomplish work at very different levels. After my story reader had finished, my little math friend let out a big sigh and said, “I’ll never read like that.” The defeat in her voice echoed in my ears.

My heart squeezed as I saw the first glimpse of Insecurity in her. Only seven years old, this child was latest victim of Insecurity. In an instant I saw this child grow months and years in my mind, with this label of “I’ll never … like that” following her for the rest of her life, influencing every decision, holding her back from fully blooming.

I lifted her chin in my hand and looked deeply into her beautiful, brown eyes. I spoke truth over her. She is smart. She is able. She is loved. She can do hard things. A small smile appeared on her face. I know the voice of Insecurity is loud, but I pray the voice of Truth was louder in that moment.

In my own life, I have heard and heeded the very same lie as my student. Comparison has been an active thief in my life, leaving me feeling debilitated and defective. My words of affirmation to this child were just as much for her heart as they were a reminder to my own. A few months ago, this lie was getting so loud I deleted all my social media. I needed to step back and take inventory of what in my mind was Truth from God and what was not.

A week or so later, this same student arrived at the Dream Center heartbroken about doing poorly on a test at school. Once again, the voice of Insecurity spoke lies to her. I was in the kitchen making lunches as my colleague pulled her into the office, drew her in close, and spoke to her, reminding her that it’s okay to fail and she will always be loved. Together they made a list of all the people who cared about her regardless of what her grade was. God. Mom. Dad. Brother. Sister. Aunty Amy. Uncle Ron. Aunty Mary. With each name, the tears flowed more slowly, and her voice became steadier.

“It’s okay to fail; you will always be loved.” Oh, how quickly my soul forgets that. How quickly I am to open the door for insecurity over and over again. How quickly I forget my identity is not in myself, my abilities, or what other people think of me. My identity is in Christ. And it is secure. He’s not concerned with my failures or my shortcomings, though they are many. None of them compares to the new identity bestowed upon me by the grace of Jesus’ redemption.

The Truth we find in Christ silences anything Insecurity tells us. We must train children while they are young how to recognize and combat the lies of Insecurity and cling to the Truth of who God has created them to be. At 24 years old, I still struggle with some of the same insecurities I did at 16 and at eight years old. But one thing I have learned: Truth wins. I will never stop arming my students with Truth. It’s the only way to win this battle.

This post first appeared in Where My Heart Goes, a blog published by Mary Veltman, an ER staff member who serves at the Fish Hoek Dream Center in South Africa. We encourage you to follow her journey.

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Major Expansion for Dream Centers in 2022

This year will be a game-changer for dozens of vulnerable kids attending our Dream Centers. You will want to be a part of our plans.

Currently, ER fully operates Dream Centers in Quito, Ecuador and Fish Hoek, South Africa. We also partner with Jabulani Africa Ministries on a third Dream Center in Limpopo, South Africa.

In these locations, we provide education reinforcement, school supplies, hot meals and life skills training in a safe, loving environment. We operate these centers in developing countries because, sadly, children often drop out of school as their families cannot afford basic as school supplies, uniforms or food. We’ve learned that providing these items, along with daily encouragement, keeps kids in school. This is what our Dream Centers are all about.

In Quito, more than 40 students attend the Dream Center Monday through Thursday. They receive nutritious meals, homework help, specialized tutoring and mentoring. Many of the kids belong to the Quito recycling community, people who sort items from the trash to make a meager living.

In Fish Hoek, more than 40 kids arrive daily after school for education reinforcement, a hot meal and some holistic learning. Many of the kids participate in club activities like photography, swimming and a running. One of the largest expenses is the cost of transportation. We shuttle all of our kids from their schools to the Dream Center.

Generosity Makes Dream Centers Possible

Everything that takes place in our Dream Centers is possible through the generosity of donors, especially those who donate monthly. These centers are GROWING and have waiting lists.

Monthly donations help cover the cost for operating the Dream Centers. If you are a donor, thank you! We could not run them without your help. If you are not a donor, now is a great time to join us. Click here. 

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Down, But Not Out, Sikani Aces Math Test

Many of the children who attend ER’s Fish Hoek Dream Center have stories that can break — and warm — your heart. Sikani* is one of those kids. In his case, one math test helped turn his life around.

Sikani lives in Masiphumelele, a large settlement near Cape Town, South Africa. He attends a government school in a local township where each teacher has 45-50 students per class. Sikani and his family fled to South Africa from Malawi. His mom is a domestic worker and is also raising a grandson. His father and sister both died from unconfirmed illnesses.

Dealing with language, culture and family issues at such a young age can wreck a child. In Sakini’s case, it almost did.

In 2019, Sikani found himself in a third-grade classroom that was very stressful and he struggled greatly. Despite encouragement at the Dream Center, Sikani basically “gave up” mid way through the year. He was discouraged and said his teacher wouldn’t help him understand what was being taught. He didn’t pass the class.

Sikani is usually quick to smile and give a hug, but his smile wasn’t as quick anymore. At the start of 2020, he knew he would be repeating grade 3, but the realization was very difficult. He was teased and bullied by his classmates. One afternoon after school, he was bullied and hit by a high school boy.

Breakthrough

Sikani soaks in the love he gets each day from Dream Center staff and volunteers. The one-on-one help he receives at our “Littles” (younger kids) campus helped him overcome a big hurdle – multiplication tables. In the first quarter of 2020, he aced his multiplication test by correctly answering 50 out of 50 questions! His hard work paid off. He was very proud of his accomplishment.

Passing the multiplication quiz has boosted his confidence and brought his smile back. We’re proud of his perseverance under such difficult circumstances. He’s a great example of why we never give up on a vulnerable child.