Please Help Us Reunite and Build a Safer Future

Hi, my name is Wayne (a British Citizen), and I’m reaching out with a humble request to help reunite my family. Life has taken me far from my wife, Zané, and our two daughters, Mikaela and Miandi, who remain in South Africa while I work in Scotland. This separation has been one of the hardest things we’ve ever endured, but it’s also made us more determined than ever to bring our family back together and create a safer, brighter future.

For years, our family has faced the challenges of living in a country where safety and opportunity are not guaranteed. My wife, Zané, is the glue that holds everything together. At 42, she juggles running her own laser-cutting business from home while being a full-time mom to our two incredible daughters. She has been my rock, managing the responsibilities of two parents while I’ve been away.

Mikaela, 15, is our resilient and passionate eldest daughter. She’s a natural athlete who earned a prestigious netball scholarship—an achievement that fills us with pride. Her journey hasn’t been easy. After suffering a serious ACL injury, she underwent two surgeries, the first unsuccessful and draining our last savings. Yet Mikaela’s spirit is unbroken. She dreams of playing netball at the highest level and representing netball at the highest level someday.

Our youngest, Miandi, is 12 and full of compassion and creativity. She’s found her voice in cultural activities like drama and public speaking, excelling in ways that make us so proud. She’s also a talented hockey and netball player and was recently named a school prefect. Despite the challenges of growing up with her father far away, she’s shown incredible strength and maturity.

Back home, our family has always made time to sit together at the end of the day, sharing stories, lessons, and laughs. It’s a tradition I’ve deeply missed since being apart from them.

The Decision to Emigrate: We’ve thought long and hard about leaving South Africa, knowing how life-changing such a move would be, especially for our daughters. While the decision wasn’t easy, the rising crime and lack of opportunities in South Africa have made it clear that this is the best path forward.

In Scotland, our daughters will have the freedom to explore their potential without limitations. They’ll be able to walk safely in the streets, pursue their education without financial or systemic barriers, and dream big in ways that simply aren’t possible back home.

Right now, I’m working seven days a week as a groundsman and taking on extra shifts at a bar to send money home. I live in a caravan to save on rent and maximize what I can save and provide for my family. Even with these sacrifices, the costs of emigrating—around £18,000—are beyond what I can achieve alone by the end of July. The visas are £5538, Priority Visa fees are £1500, NHS fees are £8000, Solicitors are £1100 and Flights are £2500.

The timeline is crucial because the new school year in Scotland starts in August, and we want to give our daughters a chance to begin this new chapter on the right foot. This would allow them to settle in, make friends, and adjust before diving into their studies.

Asking for help doesn’t come naturally to me, but this is about doing whatever it takes for my family. I know I’m just one person in a world full of people facing challenges, and I don’t consider myself more deserving than anyone else. However, I believe in the power of asking—whether for advice, support, or assistance.

If you choose to donate, you’ll be helping more than just a family reunite. You’ll be giving my daughters a future where they can thrive without fear, a future filled with opportunities and hope.

The first thing we’ll do when we’re together again is sit around the dinner table as a family, just like we always used to. This simple tradition is a reminder of the strength we find in each other and why we’re fighting so hard to make this move possible.

If we’re fortunate enough to exceed our goal or reduce our costs, we’ll pay it forward by donating the surplus to another family in need.

Whether it’s through a donation or by sharing our story, you will certainly make a meaningful difference. Every contribution will brings us closer to reuniting our family and starting this next chapter together...and we will be grateful.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read our story. Your kindness and generosity mean more to us than words can express.