Meet Petrus Van Der Merwe

My name is Petrus Van Der Merwe, the founder, designer, and creator of the ECAHLI community project. I am a former South African, born on June 16, 1976, a date that has become significant in South African history, now recognized as Youth Day. If my beginnings weren’t a clear indication of my uniqueness—being born amidst chaos and mayhem and later adopted—I don’t know what is. From the very start, I understood that life isn’t fair, that not every gift is truly a gift, and that not every smile is genuine.

Despite my difficult beginnings and a frightening upbringing, I continued to rise against all odds. When I say I’ve lived multiple lives in one lifetime, I truly mean it. I’ve faced reverse racism, discrimination, violence, crime, and felt the burden of the escalating cost of living in South Africa. I reached a crossroads where I had to either confront the fears of the unknown and escape South Africa or endure the fears and cruelty inflicted by others who sought to control and manipulate me.

I opted to confront the fears of the unknown, focusing on resettling and rebuilding my life. I aspired to become a legend in my own right. With minimal resources—about 385 Euros, one bag, and a great deal of faith—there was no time to waste once I arrived in Ireland. Within a day, I secured a temporary job as a waiter, and the next day, I landed another position as a night porter in a guesthouse in Dublin. By working diligently and concentrating on my journey, I saved money and was fortunate enough to receive an opportunity to study in Amsterdam, an opportunity that would have been impossible had I stayed in South Africa.