A Guardian Angel - Jaqui Muir

"I Just Help People, That's what I do. Don't ask me why, I don?t know myself but is something I have always done and I will continue to do for the rest of my life." Words spoken by local community volunteer, Jaqui Muir, who has been hailed in our community as ?A Guardian Angel ?, a ?Saviour? a ?True Hero?, the accolades just keep on coming as people rally around our very own "Mother Teresa".

Jaqui was born on the 02 January 1973 in Dundee Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal and grew up in a middle class family with her mother and father and five siblings. After matriculating Jaqui wanted to join the SAPS but had no support or encouragement from family or friends. Jaqui worked odd jobs until she met her first husband in 1996 in Nottingham Road. "Five years and two children later, I left my first husband, but remained friends with the father of my children."

"My second Husband was very charming and manipulative and had I listened then to the warnings, I would not have had to endure 17 years of hell." Jaqui tells The Bugle, "But alas I didn?t listen and was subsequently abused by this monster mainly mentally and emotionally but there was also sexual, physical, financial and verbal abuse too. On the outside everyone thought we were such a lovely family as he was a very good narcissistic actor and knew how to manipulate any situation and make it seem perfect. Out of fear and shame I never told anyone and those I did tell never believed me. So I endured it for 17 years until one night, 20 April 2016 I knew if I did not get out I would not be alive to tell my story one day."

Jaqui's only hope and sanity came from her strong faith in God and even though she could not understand at the time why she was going through the turmoil, Jaqui knew then that she needed to experience what victims of domestic abuse go through in order to be able to help them. Especially when no one believes them, as their stories sound so surreal sometimes.

"As I navigated this time in my life God called me to ministry on the 18th of October 2008, from Isaiah 58: 6 ? 12." Said Jaqui. "And so I began making contacts in the local community approaching local farmers in Richmond where I was living and just started going out and helping wherever I could. I slowly started getting food and clothing and distributed to the poorest of the poor in the local townships and squatter camps. I then managed to start a soup kitchen in 2009, which fed over 250 kids a day and later on in 2010 I was donated a container class room from Nedbank and started a crèche. I would go to collect from farmers and sometimes would have to cut 300 cabbages and load them alone, but I was determined to do what had to be done and I just went along helping wherever I could."

Jaqui helped at local Hospice and have had babies and children die in her arms. Jaqui has seen the best in humans and the worst. It was about this time that Jaqui got involved in animal rescue and worked alongside other organisations and the municipality to help wherever she could.

It was during this time that Jaqui was blessed with the most precious gift of all, a baby boy called Israel. His mother was one of the ladies Jaqui worked with in a local squatter camp who sadly passed away.

In 2017 Jaqui became a volunteer at Umhlali SAPS Trauma Unit, where she met some of the most amazing people and became very involved volunteering her time at SAPS. Jaqui worked as a care giver and started meeting many people in Ballito and surrounds and together with other good Samaritans, started to help the local community.

"When Covid struck and we were on lock down, I was out from day one at SAPS helping to feed the needy and eventually become the distributer for the Ashton Families That Care project, headed up by the Late Eddie Johnston and his incredible family." Said Jaqui, "Eddie was an incredible God fearing man and I always felt he could see into my soul. He was so very kind to me. We distributed over 20 000 food parcels over the next year."

Jaqui continued, "Since Covid I have just kept going. Feeding, clothing, helping, listening, caring, and just being there to help wherever I can, no matter what your social standing or race or religion is. I love helping people."

"It's my passion and my purpose to help people if it?s within my means to do it. I do not earn a salary and yes I hustle to survive but you see I don?t do this for money. I do it because it?s what is in my heart. It's who I am, I sacrifice so much for others but I know my reward is in Heaven and My Jesus has a place for me with the greats so that is my reward."

"I carry a great burden for women and men who are in abusive relationships and I am always there to listen and help where they will let me. People think it's easy. Just leave they say. NO! No. It?s terrifying. Mostly they stay because financially they dependant like I was. Please don?t judge or victim shame a domestic abuse victim or survivor. They are mentally in a fragile state and need love, support and understanding. You will only be able to help another GBV Victim if you yourself have been through it."

Jaqui has lived a selfless life and has sacrificed so much time helping others. She has raised beautiful, kind, respectful, caring children who have become such special adults.

?I don't know how but I know that God knows my heart and my desires and has helped me stay grounded and put the best into my kids. I'm now a grandmother to two beautiful little girls and I know they too will grow up with the same morals and values. My kids and my Grandbabies are the love of my life along with all my cats I rescue and have rescued. I might not be rich as the world sees riches but I am rich in love, kindness, compassion and a few very kind people who really care about me and appreciate and support what I do. I value the few people in my life who always help me out when I'm in need. There are only a few but they support me so much. They know who they are. I'm so grateful for them."