Homeless shelter at tennis courts appeals for more assistance
Although the people living at the shelter have turned the land surrounding the tennis court into an urban garden to plant crops to sell, they are still in desperate need of other items, including seeds for their garden.
ASAKHE Intsha yoMzansi, a non-profit organisation (NPO) based in Glenwood, hosted a Christmas lunch to raise donations on December 22 at the tennis courts on Esther Roberts Road in Glenwood. The NPO has made use of the abandoned tennis court building on Esther Roberts Road, and it now houses homeless people and those who need basic supplies, such as bedding and food.
The people who live in the tennis court shelter have turned the land surrounding the tennis court into an urban garden so they can plant crops to sell and make an income. The NPO hosted a Christmas lunch donation event where the public was invited to spend the day with the people on the streets and bring any donations they could afford. The NPO is in dire need of food, toiletries, second-hand clothes and shoes for both men and women, sleeping essentials (beds, blankets and mattresses), tools that can help them to continue making products to sell and also seeds to keep their gardens green.
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Nomonde Magantolo, who is the managing director of the NPO, said they had to find a place where they could shelter the people who were living on the street on Esther Roberts Road. After having interactions with them, she realised how much they needed assistance and that they were willing to work to earn a living, but due to many socio-economic factors, they could not do this.
“I realised something needed to be done about these people who needed a place to go to and something to keep them busy. When the municipality gave us permission to use this building, it was the beginning of their lives for them. The place needs to be renovated so it can be up to living standards – a lot of work still needs to be done on it – but we are glad we have a place and a space to work with,” added Magantolo.
“When we got the place, it was filled with weeds and clogged gutters. We started working on it to make it cleaner and liveable. Thankfully, the eThekwini Municipality came in and assisted us with clearing the garbage that was here. We have made this place our home – many of us here are good with handy skills, and we have decided to create things we can sell so we can get our next meal. We have had donations and assistance, but it runs out, and we are often back to needing help,” added Zola Booi who oversees the tennis court shelter.
To assist with donations, contact Nomonde Magantolo via email at Asakheinstituteconsortium@gmail.com or call 082 3843 117.
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