Upper Highway gardener loses everything in a fire
Xolani Joe Moshe's story was shared, by his employer, on Facebook and the post has received an overwhelming response. People have donated various items and his employer is now appealing for cash donations to buy Joe a Wendy house.
A POST shared on Facebook about 23-year-old Xolani Joe Moshe, who lost everything in a fire, has received an amazing response as people have come forward with donations.
Moshe’s story was shared by his employer, Ryan Eatwell.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Pinetown vendors given hope after devastating fire
The unfortunate incident happened on Saturday night, 22 February.
The fire destroyed Moshe’s one-room shack in KwaDabeka which he had divided into two rooms; a kitchen and a bedroom.
“I was at home when the fire started, I just saw smoke and I ran outside. The fire was everywhere, I did not even get a chance to take anything out and I lost everything. I was only left with the clothes I was wearing,” he said.
The father of two said he is just grateful that his wife and two children, a daughter (4) and a son (3), were not around when this incident happened.
“They had recently moved because my wife found a job.”
“When this fire started I was just worried about my dog, Tiger, who disappeared when the fire broke out. I only found him the following day down the road.”
His employer said he went the extra mile to find Moshe help as he values him.
“He is such a honest, humble person who works very hard.”
The Forest View resident said Moshe was referred to him by a friend who spoke highly of him after his then employers relocated. “He has been doing garden work since he was 17 so he came highly recommended.
“My wife and I are very close to him. He does not do garden work only but works inside doing various house chores and is very good with dogs,” smiled Eatwell.
Moshe, fondly known as Joe to his employers, was suppose to help Eatwell on Sunday, 23 February.
“He called me and told that he was going to come in late as there has been a ‘situation’. He did not even say he is not coming to work, he is very dedicated which is the reason I also went out of my way to get him help.”
Speaking about the Facebook post, which was uploaded on Sunday night, Moshe said, “The post went viral. It was unbelievable, people were sharing it. I received phone calls. people donated food, clothes and various furniture items. It was so unbelievable.
“I really would like to thank everyone who donated, even the people who just shared the post. Xolani is very grateful for the support,” said Eatwell.
Eatwell is now pleading for people to donate money to buy a Wendy house for his dedicated employer. “Even the little material that was left, people are helping themselves to it,” explained Eatwell.
Xolani and Tiger are currently staying at his sister’s house in Luganda near Mariannhill.
“CityHope Disaster Relief has set up a way for everyone to donate. People can even donate through Zapper.”
Catherine Smith from CityHope Disaster Relief said they were informed about Joe’s situation via social media.
“We instantly made contact with Ryan who was facilitating donations on his behalf. Due to public donations that we store on site for occasions like this, we were in a position to donate food, clothing, blankets, toiletries and household items such as pots, glasses and crockery. Our response team drove with Ryan to assess the property and clarify what Joe’s needs are.
“We were met with the complete devastation of his tin shack and hope to be able to walk alongside him during this time,” she said.
She added they are seeking cash donations to the value of R15 000 to be able to clear his site and install a one-bedroom cabin to provide him and his family with warmth, shelter and security.
Contact Catherine at CityHope on 086 11 22 33 1 or admin@cityhope.co.za
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