Juju Valley fire victim receives a helping hand
A benefactor has stepped up in the plight of Mpho Tshidivhi, an informal business entrepreneur who lost everything in a fire recently.
POLOKWANE – Three weeks ago, BONUS reported on Tshidivhi, who lost all her belongings amounting to R300 000 in a fire after she refused to move her business as was demanded by a rogue group of community members in Juju Valley.
Her property was petrol-bombed and some of the patrons at her tavern had been assaulted in the incident in November.
Read more: Juju Valley businesswoman loses everything in fiery attack
In the meantime, non-profit organisation Spritual Care, Medical and Community Chaplain, has come forward to assist.
Members of the chaplain visited her in Juju Valley last week, and donated some items.
The Chaplains’ Provincial Organiser, Albert Masingi said the organision was launched to assist those in need. “We offer spiritual care, counselling and where we can, donations to the affected families. We try to go out into communities weekly but we never turn down an opportunity to offer a helping hand in emergencies or where there is a need,” he said.
The Chaplain is funded through donations from business, churches and various government departments and when they heard Tshidivhi’s story, they immediately decided to assist.
“We are pleading with the community to also lend a helping hand. We are taking it up upon ourselves to ensure that she regains her lost items.”
Ward 13 councillor, Francina Lephalala says she is thankful to the Chaplain for the donations.
Tshidivhi expressed joy at the chaplains’ assistance: “I couldn’t bear to come back here because it was too painful to see all my hard work burned to the ground. The donation from the Chaplain is received with open arms and will definitely go a long way. I will not lose faith, but instead, rebuild my life.”
