Lynn Kerchhoff

AUTHOR & MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

Our vision & mission

Changing lives through stories​

At My Shack, our aim is to embrace and enhance the quality of life for all women, men, LGBTQ+, teens, and children who are survivors of any and all sorts of Gender Based Violence. My Shack is a women run and owned organization that aims to provide assistance to all victims of Gender Based Violence and affected individuals regardless of their ethnicity, culture, religion, socio-economic background or location. It is an anti-sexual violence organisation, specialising in the personal empowerment of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. We want to create awareness and understanding through various initiatives, that will result in a positive change in social attitudes and structures locally, nationally and eventually internationally.
About Lynn

A story of hope

Lynn Kerchhoff describes herself as a wife, mother and warrior woman! She is the proud author of My Shack, a beautifully written autobiography about being a survivor of sexual assault.

My Shack tells Lynn’s story of growing up in Athlone on the Cape Flats, Cape Town with all its accompanying malfunctions.

Written against the backdrop of poverty, alcoholism, lack of education and violence – all of which are still prevalent on the Cape Flats today. Her life is upended when she, on the cusp of adolescence, suffers sexual assault at the hands of a trusted family member. She describes in detail how the tragic incident unfolded whilst taking…

About the book

Professor Jonathan Jansen

Prof Jonathan Jansen

When a single, horrific sexual assault of an eleven-year old by a family friend completely upends the life of an innocent child, how can the telling of that story not be raw, vivid, and coarse? When that life-changing event happens in a dirty shack within meters of where parents are enjoying a drinking party, how else does a victim convey her experiences of traumatic memory? “Some do their duty; others fail dismally.

By telling her story within the broader context of a fragile community and a faltering country, the author reminds us of our solemn duty towards each other as South Africans”​
Dr Marcelle Mentor

Dr Marcelle Mentor

Reading My Shack takes you on a journey of how good triumphs over evil, joy replaces sorrow and how despite it all there is always hope. Lynn shares what it means to work through one’s past trauma, whilst growing in one’s sense of self and faith. It is truly as the subtitle suggests, a story of hope!

“Her work stands out to all women as a beacon of hope – and we all need hope to be able to move forward. In our time of #metoo and #blacklivesmatter, this work is so needed. We need to read this life story. It will inspire and encourage us”

More about the book

This autobiographical text is about more than sexual assault. It offers a glimpse into the banality of violence in South Africa’s suburbs, the complexities of intimacy among family members and the contradictory emotions that accompany rites of passage for women: from puberty, to marriage and mothering. Finally, Lynn tells the story of what it means to work through one’s past trauma, whilst growing in one’s sense of self and faith. It is truly, as the subtitle suggests, a story of hope.
Testimonials

Changing lives

We all have stories and scars of our many battles. My prayer is that as you read #MyShack that those scars will become markings of a victor, of an overcomer because today – you are still STANDING

Anonymous

Dearest Lynn, Your book has brought tears to my eyes, but your strength can be felt throughout the pages entangled with pain. What a life, what a women. I admire you.

Rita

Hi Lynn I found your book to be very real. It was as though you were in the book while reading. Every chapter left a different emotion and yes I will definitely recommend to family and friends. Take care and God Bless

Gladys

Good afternoon Lynn Would just like to let you know that I finished your book at 2am this morning. I could not put it down. The minute I collected my copy - I started reading and never put it down. What an amazing story. So real. So inspiring. You are indeed a gift from God and very much a strong lady.

Anonymous

Dear Mrs Kerchoff I'll admit that I can relate to some of your experiences. THANK YOU THAT I COULD FIND HEALING in reading your Story of Hope. God Bless

From our blog

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Couch Sessions No4

On Saturday 29 May 2021 we had our fourth Couch Session at Flower CaféWhat a phenomenal morning! Our Guest Speaker, Charlotte Mande Ilunga shared her life story as a survivor of the war in Congo DRC…
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My Shack Book launch

What a momentous occasion this was – the launch of #MyShackThank you to everyone who journeyed with me. Special thank you to Professor Jonathan Jansen and Dr Marcelle Mentor that not only forwarded…
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My Shack – YOU Magazine

A child being sexually abused by someone known to the family – it’s an all too common and tragic tale that plays out in communities across South Africa every day.To my husband and children, THANK YOU for all your love and… Read more >