The Ngwathe Residents Association (NgwatheRA) called for help for the children of the Lehlohonolo Day Care Centre in Tumahole, amid heavy rain and a hailstorm last week.
The urgent message had barely been sent when helping hands left no stone unturned to keep the children safe and sound. When lightning struck at about 16:30, a power cable fell on the centre’s Sasso office, causing a fire. A man was injured when he single-handedly put out the fire, while the centre leaders suffered smoke inhalation and shock.
The incident left the 150 children in the centre’s care in dire need of food and counselling. The children are either orphaned or poverty-stricken and rely on the centre for warm meals and attention for their general well-being daily.
Lightning started a fire at the Lehlohonolo Day Care Centre, causing considerable damage. Photo: Supplied
NgwatheRA’s message pleaded for help for food for these children. Members of the organisation, together with Kira from the Father Lewis Balink Foundation, which volunteers at Lehlohonolo, quickly headed up the relief operation along with Fani Tekane of the Rise ‘n Shine Community Foundation. They got help from Overcomers to transport the children to their camp, where they have received their daily meal since the terrible incident.
They extended a huge thank you to Mr Henk Coetzer from the Ngwathe Municipality’s electrical team who immediately responded to safeguard the centre after the incident.
The community members’ wonderful outreach proved that a kind deed goes a long way – especially when reaching out to a child in need
