Local organisation appeals for help

THE Church Alliance for Social Transformation (CAST) is appealing for adult and baby clothing, food, toiletries, blankets, bedding, cleaning products and nappies following the upsurge of people in need after the devastating KwaZulu-Natal floods.

The organisation works in more than ten communities assisting hundreds of destitute people and has since extended its flood relief distribution to Westville, KwaDabeka, Reservoir Hills, Clermont, Mariannridge, Mariannhill, Dassenhoek, Pinetown, Molweni, Nazareth, Lamontville, Chesterville, Cato Manor, Chatsworth, Shallcross, Savannah Park, Phoenix, Edamini, Shongweni, Inanda, Wyebank and Umbilo.

Nosipho Thuli, 31, from KwaDabeka is one of the thousands of people around the province whose home were damaged by the recent floods.

ALSO READ: CAST cares for families in need

Thuli, an unemployed mother of a ten year-old boy and a four-month-old girl, said she has been forced to rent a room nearby as her two-room mud house had collapsed.

The 31-year-old said the house was in her mother’s backyard.

“I built this house as my mother’s two-room RDP house was already overcrowded. There are 15 people living in the house,” she said, adding that the house she stayed in had problems even before the floods.

“There were cracks everywhere, so whenever it rained, the water slipped in, I sometimes squashed into the main house. It was scary sleeping in it, the asbestos roof was supported by huge bricks which have always been my main concern. I was scared the bricks would fall on us, so whenever there were strong winds, I could not get any sleep, I would just sit on the bed,” said Thuli.

Recalling the day the house collapsed on Tuesday, April 12, “I had just stepped out after fetching my baby’s bath tub. It fell just before my eyes, I am just thankful that no one was hurt,” said the grateful mother.

She added it is tough for her as she does not have an ID and her baby does not have a birth certificate.

ALSO READ: Support charity car boot sale

She approached the CAST Community Facilitator in KwaDabeka for assistance, and was grateful to receive clothing, bedding, food water, and baby products that was shared with her family.

Rolan Gulston, CAST communications officer appealed to the public to assist with donations during this time. “Many people have lost all their belongings and are in need of immediate assistant. We distribute on request to meet the specific needs in each community. Our clothing ministry, in particular, has been a Godsend to people who were only left with the clothes on their back,” she said.

CAST has been registered and operational since 2010 and partners with local churches in KwaZulu-Natal to empower and spiritually uplift underprivileged and under-resourced communities through their programmes. To assist, contact George on 060 540 6466 or email info@cast.org.za.

Gear up for the fundraising initiative

Get ready for the car boot sale of the year. A joint collaboration between the Highway Mail and the Church Alliance for Social Transformation (CAST) is in full swing to raise funds for charity. We have teamed up with the non-profit organisation to hold a car boot sale on Saturday, May 21 from 08:00 to 12:00. Start hauling out those items you no longer need and make some money from them. Space is limited, so make your booking today by emailing info@cast.org.za.