Philani’s childhood was cut short when both his father and mother found themselves having to find jobs working in a neighboring country. This left Philani and his siblings alone for long stretches of time. With no one being there to provide food or protection, the children were driven to scavenge through garbage to satisfy their hunger. Their innocent vulnerability left them defenseless against abuse by adults in the community, and the children soon fled their community to hide in a nearby forest.

“I remember one day a man beat me very badly. I tried to get him arrested by the police, only to be told that I was too young to open a case against him,” Philani recalls. “My heart changed and I started to hate. When people beat me they were making me into a fighter. And I beat a lot of people. Even when they came in numbers, I would win.”

Eventually, Philani moved to the city to work as a house servant. Through the homeowner, he was introduced to Christ. The family he was working for simply invited him to attend church with them and he went. He says he loved everything about Jesus and did his best to be a servant in the house of the Lord. He remembers, “I was told that there is a person who cares for me even though I had been abused. He is called Jesus. He even died for me.”

Philani clung to every Scripture he heard spoken. But for him, it wasn’t enough to simply hear God’s Word being spoken. He desired to read the Scriptures for himself, but couldn’t because he had never learned to read. What’s more, Philani soon faced other challenges, being forced to live on the streets two more times. And sadly, when this happened, even the church where he met Jesus as his Savior turned against him.

In despair, he began to hate the church, and began having thoughts of suicide. “I remember walking in the streets in town without knowing where to go. Then I just heard a voice telling me, ‘I’m not finished with you, yet.’”

“Then,” he says, “God led me to Healing Place Church in Swaziland – a healing place for a hurting world. I had hate in my heart, but there I got healed from my hate.”

Today Philani is a young man and a student at the Global Leadership Academy, (Children’s Cup’s ministry training and internship program) serving faithfully at Healing Place Church’s Swaziland Campus.

Philani is now able to give to others by sharing his story with those coming after him. He’s investing into the lives of many who are facing similar challenges so they can find hope in Jesus just like he did.