POLOKWANE – Christina Adams couldn’t stop smiling when the Westenburg Disaster Management Committee handed over clothes and shoes to her and her grandchildren on Tuesday.

The clothes were donated by several people in the community.

Adams’ grandchildren received school uniforms from Westenburg Secondary School and Good Hope Primary School.

Five pairs of school shoes were sponsored by Team Stress, one of the charity organisations in Westenburg.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you. It fills my heart with so much joy to know there are so many caring people in our community who are willing to help me and my family.

“This is a very sad time for me, but even though I lost everything, I will not lose hope because I know the Lord will make a way and indeed He has provided by sending these good people to help me. Thank you so much,” Adams said.

The 65-year-old woman and her family lost everything after her house burned down in John Smith Street on Friday.

She lives with her 13 grandchildren and one great grandchild, all aged between one and 21 years.

In a meeting held on Tuesday, the municipality confirmed the fire was caused by an electrical fault.

The house was also declared unsafe for habitation.

It was revealed in the meeting that the municipality handed over Adams’ title deed to the house and she is the owner of the house.

She also extended the house and the fire started in the extended part of the house, and therefore the municipality is not responsible for the damages.

However, not only Adams’ house was damaged by the fire, her neighbour, Katrina Leen’s house was also damaged.

The two houses are connected and because the two structures are joined, Leen’s house is still in its original state as was submitted to the municipality.

The municipal representative said the municipality will take some responsibility in the repair of both houses.

Eugene Lyle, chairperson of the Westenburg Disaster Management Committee, urged residents who are willing to assist the family with donations to help with the rebuilding of the house as well as food, clothes and furniture.

For more information on how to help the family, residents can contact Lyle at 082 316 0960, Zellie Whitehead at 073 990 5974 or Merriam Adams at 060 393 9388.

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