GALLERY: Dance studio for disadvantaged children burns down
MELVILLE – Suspected arson is the cause of fire to a dance studio for needy children.
A blaze that ripped through a dance studio situated in Melville on 13 September destroyed all the musical and dance instruments, costumes, a library, trophies and mirrored walls.
The building at the Melpark Sports Complex where the studio for Dansazania – a non-profit organisation, hosts dance classes for disadvantaged and homeless children, caught fire only six day before the regional dance competition which takes place on 20 September.
“How are we going to make it without resources?” cried Patricia Eatock, a co-founder.
The very same building first caught fire seven years ago before Cinda and her mother Patricia Eatock took over.
With permission from the City of Joburg, the Eatocks renovated the building from their own pockets, creating a dance studio for needy children.
“It’s really weird doing all this over again. It got burned down before us, now it has burned down again. This is the only dance studio our displaced children have, this is so devastating,” said Cinda.
Cinda said they don’t know what happened, they only received a call in the middle of the night, alerting them about the fire in the building.
“Our security guard was asleep in the building when it happened,” said Cinda.
She said it looks like someone used petrol to torch the building because police reported to them that they found an empty bottle on the building steps.
City of Joburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said the building caught fire at 12.50am.
“No injuries were reported and the cause of fire is unknown,” said Mulaudzi.
Patricia said she can’t bare to see the poor children out on the streets again.
“It will tear me apart,” she cried.
Patricia said the project brought together children from Melville and surrounds to learn ballet or hip-hop dancing, whether or not they can pay.
“It has becomes a haven for the displaced. This is the only place where we were able to teach the children discipline and to help them deal with their difficult circumstances,” she said.
He daughter Cinda teaches over 100 children in 10 classes per week and they use their family’s small car to collect the children from different homes.
The Eatocks asked the community to help rebuild the dance school.
“This is not only for us, but for the community as a whole,” said Cinda.
Alan Grobler [www.joburg.org.za/] of the City of Joburg’s Department of Social Development said they will assess Dansazania’s current situation and see what is needed.
To donate, WhatsApp Patricia on 072 797 0210 or email Dansazania@gmail.com
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