Church reaches out to needy

“Let us start rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem,” and so they began the good work.

This is an extract from a verse in the Bible on the basis of which the Christian Development Centre (CDC) in Ermelo is calling upon the community to support the rebuilding of three families’ RDP houses that were demolished by storms in 2012.

Mxolisi Maseko’s family of five is one of nine families that were left stranded during devastating thunderstorms on 5 January that year.

Their house had to be rebuilt from the foundation with the little he earned. However, construction work had to be put on hold when he lost his job.

Pastor Elphas Lubisi and his congregation have joined hands to assist the Maseko and the other families to rebuild their houses, as they have nowhere else to go.

Mxolisi, his sister, two nephews and a niece live in a shack they built after the thunderstorms, but experience difficulties as the roof leaks and the cupboards forming the walls are often blown away during windy days.

According to Pastor Lubisi, who is also a Ward 1 committee member, the matter was reported to the Msukaligwa Municipality that in turn referred it to the provincial government for assistance.

After a long wait, the family was informed that the government would not be able to assist them, as its mandate was to build and provide people with houses, which it had already done.

The unemployed Mr Maseko and family live from hand to mouth and get by with money they get from the piece jobs they sometimes get, but, according to him, life is tough.

Pastor Lubisi has already opened a banking account for donations and anyone who wishes to assist can contact him on 082 649 2752.