Founder of The Heartfelt Project. Martha has been working since the age of 15. Born in Winterveld, in the North West Province of South Africa (not too far from heartfelt) she worked as a domestic worker for over 40 years - 20 of which were for Julie and her family in Pretoria. Martha is a born business woman. She taught herself to read and write in Sotho, English & Afrikaans. A perfectionist, she takes great pride in everything she does and never lets anything leave the project before her watchful eye has given it the all clear. A great mentor to the younger ladies she is slowly teaching them about hard work - and the many doors it opens in life.

"My name is Martha M. Letsoalo (61) living in Makapanstad. I worked 40 years as a domestic worker. My job ended up suddenly. My son died but when time goes by, I read my horoscope (capricorn) which said I will get a job from overseas, it came true. I really love working in heartfelt cos my heart was very (extremely) hurt because of my son's death but finally we are doing something to people with HIV/AIDS, TB, Orphan, etc. I don't mind working over night cos I know we console, empathise and sympathise with those whose hearts are very hurt due to sickness, problem, sadness etc. Our project is made with LOVE, having hearts on it to show we empathise and sympathise with those people".

Pic1. Martha busy at work. Pic 2. Martha's Nephew Jason on the right. His mother died from HIV/AIDS two weeks after Emanuel's death. In a way, Martha feels that she lost a son and gained another. He now lives with her at her house in Makapanstad. Below are her grandaughter Lebogeng (right) and her best friend age 5 and 6

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