Volunteers lay a foundation for recovery

THE Wellness Centre Trust, a non-profit organisation based in Queen Nandi Drive, is known for doing many great things to uplift those in need, but for four women, it will always be known as their rock.

Last year, the April floods left them destitute, traumatised and without any shelter for their families.

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Knowing that some of their beneficiaries would be in trouble and without a cellphone, The Wellness Centre Trust spread the word that they would meet every Sunday near Suncoast Casino to assist those in need.

Word got out, and soon afterwards, Project Build was initiated.

“I felt it was important for The Wellness Centre Trust to step in and intervene after the floods. So many people were left destitute, and we wanted to help in a way that would make a significant difference in these peoples lives,” said Eloise Briggeman, founder and CEO of the organisation.

The first to share her story with Northglen News is Nompumelelo Nqaliwe of Mariannhill.

She recalls how the rain belted down on her house that night, causing it to crack and leaving her and her children traumatised.

“The water came through my house and flooded it. It created a huge hole, like a sinkhole, and basically split the house. There were lots of cracks in the rooms, and the yard was damaged,” said Nqaliwe who is a widow and the mother of six children.

She said she lost all her furniture but managed to save some clothing by washing and drying it.
Nqaliwe remained in the house to keep it safe but found accommodation for her children with family.

Nokubonga Biyela’s prayers were answered when a friend and neighbour contacted The Wellness Centre Trust and suggested that she get a new home, although the friend needed one, too.

“My neighbour said I should get the house although her house was also damaged during the flood. She said I needed it more because my house was dilapidated even before the heavy rain,” said Biyela.

Her old house had cracks and holes and was further damaged during the flood. She now has a home with a toilet, shower and septic tank.

“My children are happy and love the house. It has also improved my confidence,” she said.
Siblings Nokulunga and Thembeka Mbambo from Lamontville spoke about the trauma of thinking they had lost their father during in the floods.

“My father lost his home and went into trauma. We didn’t know where he was. We were so happy when he returned home, but his shack was gone,” said Nokulunga.

Thembeka said they were a big family and felt relieved when the organisation started to rebuild their father a home.

“Our dad lives in Mega Village, but the house could not be rebuilt there, so it was done in Lamontville where the rest of the family lived as we had the space,” she added.

She said The Wellness Centre Trust has not only helped them with a new home but also with food when they had nothing to eat.

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