Cape Town - “I didn’t save him, he saved me.” These were the words of Michelle Ohlsson, the mother of nine-year-old Matthew Ohlsson, who disappeared 27 years ago in front of their home in Westridge, Mitchell's Plain.
The Ohlsson's became foster parents to Lerenzo Christians, 18 years ago, in 2006, just nine years after Matthew vanished.
It was a moment of divine intervention by God, Michelle believes, when six-month-old Lerenzo became a part of their family after living in a car with his uncle as his parents were unable to take care of him, socially and financially.
“I didn't realise then, what I realised years later, that God had placed Lerenzo into my life when I wanted to give up.
“It was a reason to get up in the morning and many had prayed for our family. That is a bond made by God.
“I said social workers are doing their work but when you become a parent, there is nothing deeper than that.”
Matthew went missing in March 1997 while taking out the dirt bin in front of their home in Mitchell's Plain and was never seen again.
This week, the Ohlsson's together with their son Lerenzo invited the Weekend Argus into their home for a first time interview with the teen, who had changed their destiny and lives.
Lerenzo is a determined teen who is one of the top student at Rocklands High School in Mitchell's Plain.
He has impressed his educators because of his discipline, resilience and is keen to become a lawyer one day.
This year, Lerenzo has excelled in most of his academic subjects such as Mathematics Literacy, History, Geography, and English etc and is preparing for his Matric examinations.
“I know they are not my biological parents and in the past three years I have had a lot of introspection,” he said.
“I am a very logical person where I would have trouble connecting with people but the love that these people gave me was undeniable and I could not push it back.
“Despite all the troubles, these people (The Ohlssons) have made an irreplaceable bond with and they gave me the life I would not have had and a genuine family connection.”
In 2006, the Ohlssons, who had founded the organisation, Concerned Parents of Missing Children after Matthew's disappearance and became a safe house for foster children, received a knock at their door which changed their lives forever.
“Lerenzo's uncle was sleeping in the car with him and he was just six-months-old and said he does not have anywhere to go and I said he needs to go to the social workers,” said Michelle.
“The very next day he went to the social workers and we went to court and later we met with the mother who told the court's that we could give Lerenzo the life that she could not.”
The Ohlsson's then dedicated their lives to fostering Lerenzo solely and closed the chapter on fostering others thereafter.
“It was like I gave birth, there was a new life inside our homes, we became parents again,” said Michelle.
Michael recalls the first time he held Lerenzo in his arms.
“I came home from work and they placed his baby with big eyes and big hair into my arms while I was laying in bed and he put his head down on my chest and that was the moment where our bond never stopped.”
The Ohlsson's have allowed Lerenzo's mother to be part of his life, in every significant way.
“She is invited for every birthday or special occasion and had visits to see him while he grew up and it took a time for him to begin to talk to her but he did and now they are even chatting together on their cellphones,” she added.
Melanie Ohlsson said while they always miss their brother Matthew, Lerenzo had complimented their family.
“I have never felt jealous of Lerenzo, we opened our homes to many children due to the guidance and love of our parents, it became natural,” she said.
“He didnt disrupt our lives, he just added to it. In no way did we see or feel that he was a replacement for Matthew, he was an extension of our love.”
Jason Ohlsson, who is the youngest of the four siblings, said he had inherited the baby brother he had always dreamed of.
“I was ten or 11 when he came, I was the baby and I was excited to have a baby brother,” he said.
“I used to help change his nappies and we spent a lot of time together.
“As my brother taught me, I could now pass down what I learnt to him.”
Teachers at Rocklands High School said in a joint statement that Lerenzo is a profound learner who has impacted his peers and teaching staff:
“Lerenzo Christians’ levels of patience and enthusiasm are two aspects that set him apart from many. This is evident in the manner in which he conducts himself, both inside and outside of the classroom. Lerenzo has continuously displayed characteristics of a leader, as he would collaborate with others to support his learning and personal development.
“He produces high-quality grades every term and never misses a due date. He has equally shown his support for social justice and the redress of inequalities within our educational institution and the broader society. His critical thinking and thoughtful choices has led to his progressive learning gains and afforded him the opportunity to fulfil various student-leadership positions.
“Lerenzo has always shown his willingness and eagerness to excel academically. This demeanor has allowed him to engage within a diverse environment.
“His peers would often tell of him acting with decorum, yet confidence. This attribute is commendable. Lerenzo always strives for excellence.”