Those who have a choice in life are very fortunate and those that have no choices have many pitfalls. Caroline through life’s circumstances was less fortunate. Her mother’s attempted abortion failed, so when she was born she was given to the dirt bin - literally thrown into a bin. By some providence she ended up being cared for by her granny - Margaret. Caroline’s granny worked in a sugar plantation in Port Shepstone. Life was very difficult but she was safe. At the tender age of 10, she once again faced trauma; her granny died.

Caroline was taken to her mother’s house, where she was abused and tortured. At some stage later Caroline’s mother gave her to her brother. This uncle physically and sexually abused little Caroline. She complained to her mother but was ignored and still lived with her uncle who continued to abuse her. Caroline now 11 years old, felt the only thing she could do was to run away. Living in the bushes and eating scraps, an Indian family had pity on her and took her in. In return she did general household chores. But she couldn’t come to terms with what had happened to her. Caroline was virtually traumatised with no help or counselling.

At the age of 17 Caroline left the Indian family and found her way into the big city of Durban and lived in the vicinity of Mona Road. This area is known for prostitutes, pimps, drugs of the worst kind and the dregs of life. It was not long before Caroline was a confirmed prostitute. To try and deal with this situation she became an alcoholic and a drug addict. Life in a brothel and being a sex worker with all that goes with it was miserable and unbearable. She was constantly traumatised and abused by the pimps and her ‘customers’. Caroline’s life had become hell and she contemplated suicide. She was confused. She didn’t like sleeping with men and would cry everyday. The future looked bleak and she knew that if she stayed on the streets, she would end up dead. During the time she was working as a prostitute she knew many girls who had died of AIDS, the effects of an illegal abortion or even been murdered.

Then all of a sudden a miracle happened. In the midst of all the gloom and doom, one night whilst out on the street she was approached by a woman. Sister Petra Luna an American missionary who shared with her the gospel of Jesus Christ.. Sister Luna is a volunteer minister at the Life-Place Care Centre Mission in Pickering Street Durban, run by Doctors For Life International. Life-Place Care Centre is situated right in the middle of Durban’s Red Light District. Caroline has come to know Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour. She is no longer a prostitute or any form of addict. She has been cleansed and rejuvenated by the power of the Holy Spirit. She declares, “Thank God I’m safe and saved.”