Dumpsite squatter camp receives help

Following on from our recent article about the Siyihlala Squatter Camp and how the people there struggle to get by, the Western Front Kingdom Community team decided to revisit the settlement and to give to the people.

Wiekus de Beer and Marius Niemand revisited the site on Wednesday, 13 July, with Dingaan Magfungana from Wheatlands and Charmaine Mdabayitetwa, both of whom assist in and around the settlement.

They handed out donations collected from a variety of sources – the parents of the children at Die Beertjie Ark Kleuterskool, Every Home for Christ, Western Front Kingdom Community, SPAR Randfontein CBD and All Nations Gospel Publishers.

Firstly they took a walk to the settlement’s crèche, Siyathuthuka – the only brick building in the settlement besides the church. There Wiekus and Marius delivered approximately five crates of food, stationery, educational toys, a paraffin stove, educational nooks and soft toys. The children were completely overwhelmed and dedicated at least three songs of thanks to the Kingdom Community team.

Next, they paid a visit to the blind, neatly dressed ‘Uncle’ Andries Sauls, who is reliant on family members for his survival. Uncle Andries has been living in the squatter camp for approximately seven years and has never had a soft spot to lay his head on. When the Kingdom Community team discovered this, they decided to donate a bed to him.

“The gifts were handed over and many thanks were given through all the smiles and prayer,” said Wiekus, “but we continued to think of all those we couldn’t help.”

Lastly, they dropped in at the settlement’s church, where they handed over a number of Bibles and Christian books written in Zulu, Tswana, Afrikaans and English. Gladys Duma, leader of the Methodist Church, gratefully accepted these gifts and couldn’t wait to use them. “I am very happy! We appreciate everything so much,” Gladys said.

Afterwards Wiekus and Marius took a walk through the smoky atmosphere to determine where there is a lack of medical attention. The Kingdom Community team would like to carry through with this project to ensure better living conditions for the people of this settlement and to help them where ever they can.

They urge the members of the community to take part in this project. If you want to be of any assistance, from medical aid to smaller materialistic needs, please contact the Western Front Kingdom Community at westernfrontkc@gmail.com with suggestions.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.

For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Roodepoort Record, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine

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