When Life Shuts a Door, Let's Open a White Door Together
The journey of life can be tough, filled with unexpected bumps and harsh storms. For many women and children, these challenges often take the shape of violence, abuse, and a lack of basic support. The Al-Fidaa White Door Centre is here to help those facing such struggles by offering a place of immediate safety, care, and comfort—a beacon of hope in a time of darkness.
Why We Exist
The White Door Centre was established to respond to the rising incidents of crimes against women and children. It aims to be a sanctuary—a safe place where victims can escape their immediate danger and take their first steps toward recovery. At our core, we believe that no person deserves to suffer alone.
We offer short-term assistance to victims, giving them time to feel safe while connecting them with professional services such as the police, social workers, or medical aid. Whether it’s offering a warm blanket, emotional containment, or simply a listening ear, the White Door Centre strives to provide comfort at a time when hope seems lost.
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."
Stories from the White Door
Our doors have opened to mothers, children, and elderly individuals, each with their own story of hardship:
- A young mother abandoned by her partner, left to fend for her children without support.
- A grandmother struggling to care for four grandchildren after being left behind.
- A widow battling cancer while trying to ensure her children have food on the table.
These are not just stories—they are real lives in our community, silently crying for help. Behind every White Door, there are volunteers who listen, who care, and who try to make a difference, one person at a time.
How You Can Help
The White Door Centre cannot do this alone. It is said that “a single hand cannot clap on its own.” We need your support to keep our doors open to those in need.
- Donate: Every contribution helps. Whether it’s food, clothing, or financial support, your generosity directly impacts the lives of victims seeking refuge.
- Volunteer: Give the gift of your time. Volunteer to assist our centre or help raise awareness about the work we do.
- Spread the Word: Knowledge is power. Share our message with friends and family, and be part of the movement that stands against abuse.
Join Us. Be the Light. Be the Change.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Cases from our White Door Centre
- 24 year old female victim of assault; an outcast in her community after her alleged rape and consequent pregnancy by a male outside of the community. She chose to raise the child and married but continuous physical and verbal abuse towards the couple resulted in her husband abandoning her and their 3 week old baby as well as her toddler after she was assaulted in front of her husband in their home by her abusers.
- 44 year old widowed mother of 2 struggling to keep afloat financially. The victim was widowed after her late husband committed suicide, leaving her the sole breadwinner of the family. She has recently moved in with in-laws who, according to the victim, are abusing the child support grant and control the SASSA card.
- 45 year old mother of 3 returning to Port Elizabeth after separating from her abusive husband. She returned to Port Elizabeth and commenced with divorce proceedings and sought counselling from the White Door Centre as the emotional and financial strain is beginning to take its toll on her. The lack of privacy does not make her situation any easier as the household numbers 13 family members in a small home.
- A 25 year old mother married to a foreigner who abandoned her and their mutual children. The victim is currently living with a grandparent who is not willing to tolerate two religions in the household. She has been asked to find other accommodation while her spouse who resides with friends, refuses to help despite the threat of wife and children being left on the street.
- A 43 year old divorced mother of four providing for her family by doing odd jobs wherever possible. The rape of a child in the family devastated the family. Trying to keep the family together emotionally and financially has exhausted the victim, prompting her to seek counselling.
- A 70 year old pensioner taking care of 4 grandchildren seeking counselling; the mother of the children started a new life and marriage in a new city and left the victim to raise her children. The 70 year old grandmother is in dire straits as her pension does not cover the transport to and from school for a single child, let alone 4 children.
- 43 year old widow and mother of a troubled teen with a history of substance abuse and violent behaviour to the extent that the victim feels unsafe in her own home and fears for her personal wellbeing and that of her property.
- A 33 year old recently widowed expectant mother of 3 struggling to make ends meet as her late husband was the sole provider. She is currently unable to secure employment and is battling with basic living expenses.
- 33 year old single mother of 5 residing with family members. She feels that the verbal abuse of her children by a family member is unbearable but because she and her children have no other home to go to, she has no choice but to bear it as it at least ensures a plate of food.
- 40 year old mother of 3 battling cancer amongst other chronic illnesses. Battling illnesses, financial concerns like what will her children eat and feelings of emotional isolation, she feels she has lost all hope. Currently without an income, this mother has been left distraught after being informed that her only option is a double mastectomy. Her worries and anxiety about the well-being of her children has increased tenfold.
- 52 year old mother of 6 residing with a sibling and his family in a cramped 2 bedroom flat confided in the White Door Centre counsellor about her struggles. The victim feels helpless about her financial situation and attempts at employment have been unsuccessful. The household has no fixed income even though her brother goes out every day in search of casual jobs to put food on the table.
- 39 year old single mother of 3 seeking counselling and assistance. The victim has failed to secure employment and receives a disability grant due to a speech defect. She is battling to cover her rental and support her children; the father of the children does not provide support at all.
- 48 year old unemployed single mother residing with her son and a frail mother; only income is currently the child support grant and her mother’s pension. The victim herself is currently under severe stress and worried about the test results of a recently discovered cyst.
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