Life Time Runs

In this book, Obert is known by three names (Obert, Vincent and Allan). Obert is a child refugee from Zimbabwe. He was born on 24 December 1998 in the city of Kadoma at Golden Valley mining township. His father leaves his mother and abducts Obert who is barely 5 years old. Allan is taken to Sanyati village in the North of Zimbabwe, a mining town, where he experiences terrifying life-threatening abuse at the hands of his stepfamily. His instinctual drive to survive helps him to muster courage and run away. After many failed attempts, Allan finally succeeds and crosses the border at Beit Bridge into South Africa. His journey to Cape Town and the life he faces as a small homeless child on the run could have turned out differently. Life on the road is full of unexpected blessings and also terrifying risks. Allan's escape from Zimbabwe to South Africa as a 6-year-old boy is an epic tale of a small child's last attempt to choose life over death. The collaboration between adult strangers from the organization's in two African countries help him achieve the impossible question "Who am I?" A South African-based charity organization - The Homestead in District Six, plays a pivotal role in Allan's rehabilitation and recovery. The South African Department of Social Development and the individual social workers who make up this commendable team are skilled, dedicated, and persistent in their communication with Zimbabwe consular officials. The Education Program, (academic and life skills) at the Homestead, and all the schools Obert attends, miraculously change this little boy's attitude, and time tells of the Homestead's success in the life of Obert. Three institutions have a direct influence in the life of this child refugee: the South African Department of Social Development, The Homestead (District Six), and the Zimbabwe consular officials all help him in his quest to complete matric and find his identity.