Gale’s Story

She’s changed the lives of hundreds of women and children, but Gail Johnson tells Isabella Robb that she can’t stop now.

“No child should be separated from their mother because of a diagnosis”

Isabella Robb: Why did you start Nkosi’s Haven?

Gail: Because of Nkosi. 

I was one of the founder members of the Guest House at a time before ARV’s existed (antiretroviral drugs; the drugs used to treat HIV) so many magnificent people died. 

God, it was so sad.

Nkosi was admitted to Guest House and that’s when the dynamics of the virus changed for me. If one little black guy was infected, there were going to be a HELL of a lot of more kiddies that were going to be. Guest House closed due to lack of funds so I took Nkosi home to live with my family. 

As he got older he became concerned about the other infected children and he wanted to do something about it. So he and I used to look for properties.   

Isabella Robb: What are the biggest challenges you face?

Gail: Mostly financial - we don’t receive government support, so we rely solely on the donations we receive. But this fluctuates and hasn’t been helped by COVID-19.  

Wear and tear on the property is a huge challenge for us. The maintenance costs are crippling. But the most challenging issues we face are the people we exist to support, and their needs. Therapy makes up a large proportion of our costs. 

Isabella Robb: What does a typical “working day” look like for you?

Gail: No two days are the same. It can be anything from dealing with a child taking photos of their genitals. (Our safeguarding team check all cell phones daily - social media drives me nuts.) To writing fundraising proposals, dealing with a burst water pipe, mediating disagreements between mothers and staff, rushing out to buy OTC medication because sickbay has run out!  To arranging the isolation areas for a mom and child who have been to a funeral. The list is endless.

Isabella Robb: How has Covid effected the charity?

Gail: Badly. Our donor base has completely contracted. Our income has dropped, and at the moment, we are in quite a scary position.  

Isabella Robb: What’s on the horizon; what are you looking forward to for the charity, In terms of new projects/ collaborations etc?

Gail: On the immediate horizon, we want to see our ECD (early childhood development) centre completed. Then we want to re-kickstart our rabbit farming.  We have a 12-acre farm just outside Vereeniging and started rabbit farming before Covid, so we want to restart this venture. 

Isabella Robb: Nkosi’s Haven will receive money from the profit we raise from the sale of our Travajama. How can we help to make a difference?

Gail: We need to pay our school fees. We’re 18 months behind on our payment, so we would love to put the funds straight into our Education account which pays school fees, and all educational needs - uniforms, stationery, bags and shoes, but also assists with our university children who may have got a government loan to study further but their living and food expenses are not covered by the loan.  Then of course, we also have moms who want to finish their schooling or do a course of some kind – which we always like to support.

Isabella Robb: Are you a PJ or birthday suite girl when it comes to bedtime?

Gail: Well, that depends on who I am with! But in the summer; half birthday suit (I always wear a G-string in case of fire) and then onesies in winter. But they need be designed to assist women when going to the toilet in the middle of the night – Stripping right down is COLD!

Isabella Robb: If you manage to get some much-needed down time what do you like to do?

Gail: I love entertaining – which I’ve obviously not been able to do for over a year. 

Prior to COVID-19 I did quite a bit of entertaining. I have a 10-seater dining room table, so many a good bash was held.  Friends were regulars, but as we (Nkosi’s Haven) received support from international donors, I would invite them to a home cooked meal. I love a good curry in winter.

Gail continues to run Nkosi’s Haven with the support of her team.

For further information visit: nkosishaven.org