ONE competition entry into the Gems CSI competition worth R250 000 will dramatically impact The Whitehouse Community Centre in KwaNyuswa.
Busi Ntshingila-Phungula said her sister, Tutu Ntshingila, was once a patient at the organisation and decided to take the chance and nominate it for the competition. “My sister was diagnosed with dementia and after trying to get accommodation in various places we found The White House. She was well cared for and I soon realised this is a valuable resource to the community and the surrounding areas. It’s not only for patients with different illnesses, but it also looks after abandoned children and children with different physical and mental challenges,” said Busi.
Gems, the Government Employee Medical Scheme, donated and sponsored goods to the value of R250 000 to the local organisation. Lucia Mohatlane, the copyright manager for Gems, said representatives visited the organisation and conducted a needs analysis. Included in the donation is the installation of paving around the property, roof repairs, groceries for a three-month period, a TV, a refrigerator, a deep freezer, a generator, laptops, kitchen utensils, educational toys for the children and various other necessities.
“It is such an honour to give back to the community and to help with an organisation that our very own members chose, nominated and support,” said Lucia.
Russell Chili, founder of the community centre, said “This is my dream come true. This donation will help us tremendously as there will no longer be any mud brought inside, the roof will be fixed, we will have power as sometimes we go without lights for a week and it will be a great benefit to the patients and children. We were in need and now this donation has taken us to the next level and will help us a lot. Thank you to Busi for the nomination and to Gems for this wonderful donation.”
The local Ward 103 councillor, Nthetheneli Sibisi, said he was excited for the organisation’s donation as it would allow it to grow and expand and he believed that the work it does has been an incredible asset to the community.
