KELLYANN and Derrick Goodwin have two children - Hannah aged six and Sarah aged four.
Kellyann, known for her involvement with the youth, and the Amanzimtoti Methodist Church youth pastor, has taken up a new challenge as Choices for Life centre manager, previously known as the Pregnancy Resource Centre.
“I am passionate about young people and enjoy filling them with hope and enabling them to change their mind in order to make good decisions that will change their lives positively,” Kellyann said.
“I not only work with teens at Choices for Life as I did at the church, I also work with young adults. It is that same passion to bring hope to the youth and provide a safe place for those in crisis, and be a beacon of hope that drives me.”
“The centre’s focus is two-fold, prevention and intervention. Intervention is providing counselling and assistance to those experiencing crisis pregnancies, but we wanted to get to the root of the crisis to prevent pregnancies.
“We therefore introduced the ‘Undiluted’ programme to schools in 2008, providing education on sexual health issues and concerns, including abortion, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and teaching pupils how to make better choices in their life,” Kellyann said.
She added there are many young people who go through teenage pregnancy, and KwaZulu-Natal has the highest teenage pregnancy rate countrywide.
“It can negatively affect education, career opportunities and self-worth,” she added.
“It is my wish for the centre to burst its seams. Recently we hosted a holiday programme for a local NGO. The organisation’s manager sent us a beautiful thank-you letter, explaining that one of the girls in the programme, was in a bad relationship, but broke the relationship, started in a mentorship programme and returned to school.
“That is the change we want to happen. She made the change, that is what drives my passion as an individual.”
When Kellyann is not managing the centre, she expresses her creative side.
“I love the arts, and anything related to it. I like to create, paint and draw and going for walks on the beach. I love spending time with my children, family and friends and I am an animal lover,” she said.
She dislikes it when an injustice is done to people and animals.
“I am reserved, but when I see an injustice being done I am not afraid to voice my opinion,” she said.
Contact Choices for Life on 031 903 7359.
