HOPE THROUGH THE HEARTBREAK

Although they're still struggling to come to terms with the loss of their two children, a new baby is the strength they need

- BOHEMIA JUMATT

WHEN they lost their children, they tried everything to escape the pain. They packed up their home in the Western Cape seaside village of ansbaai and moved 182km away to Barrydale in the Karoo.

They had to get away, Odeté de Vries says. There were too many painful memories: the farm dam where Dameon (7) and Kayllé (5) drowned just 20m from their home, the beach where they'd played every day, the crashing waves they loved to splash in.

Odeté and her husband, André, tried to outrun the agony of losing their children but after living in Barrydale for three months they had to come back.

This was their children's home and the place where their memories resided and besides, there's a ray of light holding them up now. Odeté is six months pregnant and the couple are looking forward to welcoming a child to fill the gaping holes in their hearts.

They didn't have it in them to return to their old home, though, and now live in an estate in the nearby community of Franskraal. When they want to feel close to Dameon and Kayllé, they head to the beach at De Kelders, just on the other side of Gansbaai, where they've erected a memorial for their children.

A white angel statue towers over the succulents and rocks that make up the memorial garden, holding vigil over their memory.

"I know that God needed them more. They're now his little angels. Although we don't understand it, one day we will. When it's our time, we trust we'll see them again at Jesus' side, Odeté says.

Right now, their blessing is the baby growing inside her. It's a little girl and the couple have already chosen a name for her.

"It's Alleyahné," Odeté says. "The name is of Arabic origin and means strength." And strength is what they hope the new baby will bring them.