True life story

Despite his initial reluctance to seek help, he eventually reached a point of desperation and cried out for assistance. Despite facing scepticism from those around him, he persisted and made a profound impact on the lives of many people.

This book is a testament to the power of resilience and the significance of seeking support when facing challenging times. Through vivid storytelling and poignant reflections, readers will be inspired by the protagonist's journey and encouraged to seek help when struggling.

Overall, Struggling Stains is a must-read for anyone who has faced adversity and struggled to find their way. It is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, we have the strength to overcome and make a positive impact on the world around us.

Was there any hope at all that maybe soon or perhaps one day, she will have an opportunity to play among the red poppies in the field near her village in the springtime again?

Czeslawa, the expression of this little Polish girl in three of this photo’s exposed what’s wrong in the world when savages are allowed to rule. Just like a flower bud, many children’s budding youth were trampled on mercilessly in Auschwitz long before they could blossom into adulthood.

Czeslawa. Only fourteen years old, but trapped and made brutally vulnerable to the barbarity of war and the sadism, hate and torture in a Nazi Concentration camp.

Czeslawa. All that remains were the three photographs taken of her just before her death.

The story of this once vibrant-cheerful girl was written with great respect and admiration to pay tribute to her and the other hundreds of thousands children who not only lost their dreams and youth but their lives at the hands of the Germans.

Women and children are being raped, abused, stalked – and murdered – but are expected to keep quiet about this. We can no longer accept this as “normal”. Statistics tell us that more than half of all murders worldwide are committed by partners. Husbands, wives or relational partners suffer the worst abuse.

These stories are told anonymously to protect their identities and their safety. They have shared their stories willingly, in their own words, from their perspective. And they have done so with love – hoping that sharing their stories will make a difference to yours. May these true stories inspire you to find your voice, face this onslaught with courage, and overcome it to live a free, healthy life.

Jeni takes the reader on a memorable day safari and creates, with every sentence, an exact account of the event – so realistic that one can even feel the slightest bump in the road, hear the elephant's trumpet, and the roar of a lion.

In her notes on the brief history of Addo, she mentions that the park was literally borne out of tragedy.  In a sense, the idea of this book, too, was inspired during tragic circumstances.  We are currently under level 3 Covid-19 lockdown and she, like every other nature guide and tourism operation, had no source of income.  The tourism industry is one of the hardest hit by the implementation of the strictest lockdown measures worldwide and four months later, there is no light at the end of the tunnel.  For an industry that contributes four hundred and twenty-six billion Rand to the economy annually, many guides did not qualify for government assistance and approximately one and a half million tourism partners are on their knees.

Jeni lost her business due to the corvid-19 outbreak.

This is her story: “There was a little voice from within that told me I couldn’t do it, but my heart said otherwise.  My heart simply reminded me that I needed to get out of my head, concentrate on something positive, something that I would enjoy and that would give me the opportunity to share my knowledge as a guide and showcase my favourite photos taken in the park.   It also told me that even if it never got published, I would have survived the mental anguish that tortured my soul during the dark days of lockdown, and I would have a memoir of note.  I listened to my heart, which also did not surprise me because I’ve always been one to do everything with the utmost passion and my heart is filled with Addo and every single creature that lives within her.  So, this is my book.  A book, written from my heart.   The same heart that proudly guided thousands of guests through Addo, happily sharing knowledge, experience and passion for its wildlife and biomes.  I have so many stories of funny experiences, hilarious moments with guests, sad moments when we all cried and those moments when no-one dared speak, nor breathe, too afraid to make a sound until the moment had passed and we all looked at each other with big eyes, then burst into laughter of utter relief and awe.”

This book is not intended as a field guide, but rather a guided safari through each loop, relating some of the amazing sightings in that area, to celebrate the innate beauty, history and sense of peace that the Addo Elephant National Park presents to each and every person who enters her domain.

This book will inspire others to dig deep within to find their higher selves, their true spirit when they encounter challenging times.

“It is here where true courage is found.  It is here where we find our true life purpose and learn to accept the things we cannot change.  It may be the scariest thing you’ve ever done and may feel like the dark night of the soul, but you will grow so much as an individual and come out the other side with utter peace in your soul.”

Change comes through adversity.