Walking a mile (or two) in someone else’s shoes

Grabouw is situated high up in a mountainous region of the Western Cape South Africa.  Last night we had our first winter storm and I mean storm!  Wind speeds were violent and anything that wasn’t nailed down was swirled high up and thrust dangerously into the community.  Rain squalls meant that the water table rose and where paths had been, streams now gushed down every slope.

Imagine then experiencing all this whilst living in a shack – would there be a roof in the morning?  Would the water flow through this home? How would I get dry? Are the children safe?

Can you imagine the desperation?

Can you see this in your mind’s eye?  Now add to your picture that both parents are blind.

The children aged two and five also have sight problems.  Siphila Sonke has been assisting this family with ongoing food parcels since 2019 but, as they are from Lesotho, applying and obtaining a SASSA grant is proving nigh on impossible. They have just been evicted from the shack that they were living in as it was sold and they had to move out immediately.  They are currently living in a makeshift shelter of approximately 1.5m x 1.5 metres behind another shack with no protection from the weather.

Imagine walking a mile in these shoes.

Any help to enable them to build something more stable would be most welcome; building materials, household goods, alternative accommodation, food or finance all are needed.  

Let’s help those in need whether with building materials or sustenance.

Please contact Tina at the office on 082 944 8031 or email  office@siphilasonke.org.za

Thank you for caring!