Elderly suffer eight months with no water
The home operates on a limited budget, and not having access to running water is taking its toll.
A home caring for 52 vulnerable people in Mlozane Ward, Izingolweni has been surviving without water since August last year.
Ntokozweni Village for the Vulnerable was founded by Pastor Enock Sthembiso Nkonyeni in 1997.
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He was killed in a car accident in 2008, and his wife, Beauty has carried on his dream of running the home, which aims to provide love, care and support to the elderly who have no family and nobody to look after them.
“I enjoy working with the people, and it has become a calling,” she said.
Thanks to a generous sponsorship, the home is currently undergoing renovations.
This project is being overseen by Mike Webster, a friend of Reverend John Harrison and his wife Heather, founders of non-profit organisation Ziphakamise.
Both Enock and Beauty had worked at Ziphakamise before Enock was led to open Ntokozweni Village.
Mike said that the upgrade, which included handrails, would hopefully make life a little easier for the physically challenged residents.
But he is deeply concerned about the water situation at the home.
The village is home to people over 60 years of age, some of whom have suffered strokes or have various other ailments.
It operates on a limited budget, and not having access to running water is taking its toll.
Often, Beauty said, their phone calls to Ugu proved fruitless, adding that they were “lucky” if water tankers came to fill their tanks.
This precious resource is needed for almost every aspect of running the home; from making tea, to flushing toilets, bathing, washing clothes and taking medication.
Beauty explained that once when they were desperate, they had even travelled to a neighbour’s house for assistance.
“However, the onerous exercise of carrying buckets of water to do the washing and cooking is draining for the staff,” she said.
The lack of water has had a knock-on effect.
Beauty explained that the home’s gas bill had increased by R2 400 a month – an unplanned an unnecessary additional expense – as they now had to boil water on the gas stove in order to be able to give the residents a warm bath.
She added there was also the danger to both residents and staff of carrying around boiling water.
“The summer rain has helped us, but I worry about the dry winter months and the coronavirus outbreak, as it’s difficult to keep things hygienic with no water,” said Beauty.
“I don’t know how to make Ugu fill up our tanks regularly.”
Mike is seeking a solution to the home’s water crisis, and is appealing for someone to sponsor a borehole.
Apart from the hardships of surviving without water, the home needs pots, a cleaning trolley, serving trays, nappies and gloves, first aid kits, dressing gowns, curtains and bedding such as fitted sheets, pillow cases and comforters.
If you can help, contact him at 084 300 1778.
Ugu was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of going to press.
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