It doesn’t take long after meeting Janice and Adri Liebenberg to recognize that they are two very special young women. Thousands of miles from their native home in Capetown, South Africa, Janice and Adri currently thrive in an environment of opportunity that they could only dream about growing up. Exposed to apartheid early in life and faced with the reality of high unemployment as adults, the two sisters made the uncommon decision to leave their parents and six siblings to create a different future for themselves.
Janice paved the way to America by convincing her mother that she was mature enough to travel abroad through Au Pair in America, which operates under the American Institute for Foreign Study. A year-long au pair position brought Janice to Cincinnati, where she also gained computer skills through a grant provided by her sponsoring organization. After honoring her commitment to Au Pair in America, Janice’s employer helped her to find housing and obtain a student visa in order for her to remain in the States. In the Fall of 2000, Janice chose to attend RWC because it provided the Pre-Education program she wanted for an affordable tuition while keeping her close to home.
Longing for family, Janice soon requested that Adri join her in Cincinnati. Adri followed in her older sister’s footsteps and also served as an au pair and used her grant to study stock market and real estate topics. Again, Janice’s former employer came to the rescue to help Adri with her student visa, which allowed her to then enroll at RWC in Spring Quarter of 2001.
Next fall, Janice will be continuing her quest for a Master’s Degree in Education or Psychology at Clifton Campus while Adri finishes at RWC. Adri too will go on to pursue a Master’s Degree in a similar field so that they may return to Capetown and open a shelter for the underprivileged and abused. Inheriting their mother’s love of children, they have a special place in their hearts for little ones who can’t help themselves.
Janice and Adri are enjoying their newfound life in America, and Janice has an important message for all Americans: “Remember that you are fortunate to have a government that does so much for its citizens.”
The sisters miss their family very much, but manage to cope with the separation by checking emails often for word from home, calling their parents every Sunday, and hoping to plan a visit home soon.