Three trees uprooted at Sparrow Village

A routine visit to the bathroom for Sparrow Village groundskeeper Mapopa Shumba nearly cost him life.

Last night, three trees were simultaneously uprooted by a brief storm and fell on the Villages ground.

This occurred just seconds after Mapopa had entered the bathroom.

The uprooted trees damaged a dome which was used as a bakery while the coffee shop has slight structural damage.

The damaged area was the Montaye Nursery and the owner was there last night after the incident occured.

“When we arrived last night, our plants were in disarray and the tree’s branches were everywhere. The damage is immense,” said the nursery’s Zenta Douman.

The one who was hardest hit was Sparrow Village as they relied on the bakery to feed it’s orphans, mothers and children and 17 terminally ill patients in their hospice.

Managing Director Ricus van den Berg was emotional as he described the setback the damage has caused to the Village.

“We are a non-government organization which is cash strapped to the hilt. Our only source of income has now been damaged. Through a special arrangement with Zenta, the nursery was able to help us keep afloat together with the coffee shop. These are projects that we just started three months ago,”he said.

Just earlier this year, the village had to spend around R80000 to cut down the trees that were on their property in Nadine Street and cannot afford to remove the remaining trees which are next to the nursery.

“The trees are old and don’t have a strong hold in the ground. The trees remaining are already leaning and will fall over any day. We appeal to anyone who can help to remove the trees and repair the damaged building.

With the village registered as a Section 18A organization, companies willing to help the Village will be given a certificate for a tax rebate.

First National Bank

Sparrow Ministries

Branch: Westgate

Branch Code: 250841

Account Number: 54920050877

Bank Address: FIRNZAJJA446

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