Woman weeps as gifts pour in

A woman who sustained damage to part of her home, due to a fire, started crying when she received donations of groceries, curtains and school shoes.

Mirriam Madide’s home was damaged in a fire about a month ago. She cries from gratitude after receiving groceries and several items from the International Divine Faith Ministries Church on June 9. Photo: Jonothan Tasker

A church rallied with several community members to donate items to the family on June 9, after their home, in Kingsway, burned down a month ago.

The home owner, Marriam Madide (46), dissolved into tears when she received the items.

“I am unemployed, my eldest is unemployed and my other four children go to school,” she said.

Lucky Mnguni, the senior pastor at International Divine Faith Ministries, which is based in New Modder, joined forces with several church members, including Cecil Mokuouoa, Sifiso Fakude, Mpho Bereng, Joyce November and Elizabeth Mehlape, to donate the items.

They said it is important to help others.

“Clr Samuel Ngobese told us about this woman and we agreed to help her by donating a few items to her,” Mnguni said.

The woman, who supports her children Ntando Madide (27), Mini-enhle (22), Nkosenhle (19), Amahle (6) and Oluhle (6) Mtshali said she did not know how the fire started on May 1.

“I was not at home, but people in the street contacted me to say there was smoke coming from my house,” she said.

“When I opened the door, the blaze filled the house and the community members put it out using buckets of water.”

This was just the start of the generosity from the community.

Since the fire happened, she has received donations of food, clothing, a mattress, blankets and timber to rebuild her house.

But Madide is still battling, because she and three of her children currently sleep on a double mattress.

“It has become very challenging since the fire; we once shared one queen and a double bed, but now my eldest sleeps in a room outside and Mini-enhle lives in Newcastle, where she studies, but returns home when school closes,” Madide said.

“My fridge no longer works because of the fire, so I ask the neigbours to keep the groceries I buy.”

Although Madide receives a grant for Amahle and Oluhle, it is not enough to sustain the needs of a family of five and to rebuild her house.

Clr Ngobese said a voucher of R750 for food was given to her by the Department of Social Development after the fire.

“We thank everyone who has contributed with food, blankets and prayers,” he added.

“But the house is still in need of renovation and we plead with those who can assist, to please do so.

“We thank the church for their contribution, and the members of the community.”